In a world where we believe that height is might, many children seem to be falling short. It turns out that three in 10 Filipino children are not achieving the right height for their age. Why is that?One of the biggest factors is food, and consequently, nutrition. More and more, we encounter children who are picky eaters. Some have diets that only consist of rice and soup, maybe chicken nuggets, or only egg. Almost all will say that their children don’t eat vegetables. Since this has become such a common problem, it’s not difficult to see why many children are not getting all the nutrients they need to be growing at their full potential.Children are at a stage, where they are growing very quickly. This means that they need the materials to grow their bones, muscles, and even their brains. In a survey done across the entire Philippines, they found that up to nearly half of children don’t eat enough protein. Proteins are building blocks for growth, without them, children can’t grow like they should. Poor intake can result in short stature, a weak immune system, and even developmental delays.The estimated daily protein requirement for sex and age are indicated in the chart. Among the protein content of selected common foods per serving, children get as much as 8 grams drinking an 8-oz glass. (“Protein Content of Common Foods” by Johns Hopkins Medicine Clinical Nutrition Department).In young children, milk is one of the top sources of protein. Infants can get all the nutrients they need from their mother’s breast milk. At six months, they start to eat solids and transition toward having food as their main source of nutrition.Older children can get up to 1/5 of their daily protein requirement from drinking one glass of milk per day. In addition to protein, that daily glass of milk contributes to their daily calcium and vitamin B requirements.Looking at how much protein children need and the many protein sources, reaching the daily protein goal is definitely achievable, even for picky eaters. Always keep in mind that a balanced diet is the best diet. A good variety of healthy food will provide the best holistic nutrition for children and adults alike. Good nutrition leads to optimal growth and development.This article is courtesy of Arla Organic Powdered Milk Drink which retains all the natural protein from fresh cow’s milk.
