This period, which includes children aged 2-5, is called the "Player Child" period. Starting from the first age, the child gradually begins to gain independence, and the child becomes a changing individual within the family. During this period of countless development and change, the child's eating habits are directly or indirectly affected by the eating habits of the family, especially the mother and father.
The nutritional needs of preschool children are different from adults in 3 ways:
1- Energy expenditure per unit of body size is considerably higher than adults. Because the growth process requires a significant amount of energy expenditure.
2- The construction of new tissues increases the need for proteins, minerals and vitamins.
3- Digestive system characteristics and their limited ability to eat on their own make it difficult to include certain foods in children's diets. and requires their preparation in a certain way.
Growth and development
The purpose of child nutrition is to ensure normal and healthy growth and development. Growth and development is the process of timed, dynamic change of the human infant from cellular stage to adulthood. The phrase “Growth and Development” covers the processes of physical and mental change. Thus, the child's body size increases, the structures of the cells, their functions, motor and cognitive abilities, sensory, emotional and social behaviors mature.
Real loss of appetite is a situation that occurs when the child does not want to take in food. Anemia, intestinal parasites and diseases can cause loss of appetite in the child. In this case, weight loss is inevitable.
The game will be very attractive for the child, so he may forget to eat. Lack of interest in food, lack of table setting and not sitting at the table because the child is away from the family all day can turn into picky eating, eating less or eating only one meal. The family table is the environment where the child's best nutrition model is developed. While creating a balanced nutrition model, a happy environment where the family comes together should be created.
Energy and nutritional requirements:
Energy :
Preschool children are in the process of continuous growth and development. This situation is critical for basal metabolism. Canan means high energy. They also have a lot of physical activity. Therefore, their daily energy requirements are higher than adults. This value is 80/90 kcal/kg/day in playful children.
Protein:
The daily protein requirement of preschool children is 15-20% of the energy. is up to 50% of the total daily protein amount comes from animal sources. 500 ml per day. and more milk or yoghurt consumption increases the amount of protein. One egg, 500 ml. Consuming milk or yoghurt, as much as a meatball, or legumes is sufficient for protein intake.
Fat:
In addition to providing energy, fats play a role in the use of fat-soluble vitamins and the functioning of the nervous system. they get it. Consumption of fatty foods such as cookies, cakes and pastries, especially butter and fatty meats, which are given as snacks in kindergarten, is limited at an early age and it is recommended that at most 30% of the total daily energy comes from fat. Otherwise, fatty eating habits increase the risk of some chronic diseases that may develop in the future.
Carbohydrates:
Sugar and sugary foods, among the carbohydrates in the nutrition of preschool children, provide a large part of the energy. . High amounts of sugar and sugary foods are not good for children's nutrition. These foods prevent the child from meeting his normal nutritional needs and can also cause loss of appetite and tooth decay. In order to reduce or minimize this risk, it is recommended not to consume too much sugary drinks, sweets and foods such as biscuits, and not to give them to children, especially during snacks. Considering that private kindergartens and nurseries opened by various workplaces have become widespread in recent years, nutrition services in these places need to be planned carefully. 50-60% of the total daily energy should be provided from different types of carbohydrates.
Pulp:
Recommendations regarding the appropriate amount of fiber in young children are limited. Average daily fiber consumption is 12 g. It was determined to be. High-fibre foods are bulky, and a child with a low appetite who is offered high-fibre foods may not get enough energy. Main sources of fiber foods Giving it at meals is a recommended feeding practice, especially for children with poor appetite. A low amount of fiber is inevitable due to low consumption of fruits, vegetables and grains.
Daily menu planning for preschool children:
Basic food groups should especially be included in the child's daily menu.
It must meet all the requirements of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate and vitamins from the basic food groups. Foods should complement each other in terms of the nutrients they contain. Regular functioning of organs is important for growth and development.
Food groups to be included in the menu
Meat Group
Foods in this group are rich in good quality proteins and minerals and are necessary for the healthy growth of the body and a healthy life. Foods such as meat, chicken, fish and eggs are included in this group. Two or three portions of these foods are sufficient daily.
Milk and its derivatives
These foods contain calcium, essential for the development of bones and teeth and the regular functioning of nerves and muscles. Provides vitamins A and B and good quality protein. 500 ml of this group of foods per day. Consuming milk and yoghurt and 1 matchbox of cheese is sufficient.
Grain group
Foods in this group contain vegetable proteins and B group vitamins. It is sufficient to give these foods as meals, in soups, enriched with milk or yoghurt, and four portions a day.
Vegetable-fruit group
Especially green leafy vegetables, A, C. and rich in B group vitamins. This group of vitamins is important for the protection of the child. It is recommended to consume four portions a day.
Sugar and fat group
This group of foods provides energy to the body. These foods are sugar and honey, jam, molasses, olive oil and other vegetable oils made from sugar.
Proper cooking methods
When preparing foods, care should be taken for cleanliness. To prevent children from getting sick, the water they drink should be boiled and the food should be consumed fresh. Processes such as roasting and frying, which cause a decrease in nutritional value, should be avoided. Food should not be excessively hot or cold, hot or spicy. Because� This situation affects appetite. Both the taste, appearance and smell of the food are important for children.
Presenting foods from all food groups with appropriate cooking methods and feeding them without skipping meals is a prerequisite for the child to be a healthy individual.
Recommendations:
• Different foods should be offered, taking into account the child's priorities in food selection. However, this should not always be meatballs, fried potatoes, rice and pasta, but should be in the form of giving the child the opportunity to choose from the food groups he needs to eat. For example; meatballs for eating red meat, minced meat in food, pieces of meat, juicy meatballs, etc. It can be directed to your own preference from different menus containing red meat.
• Food portions should be adjusted according to the needs of the child, not the mother's own measurements. Generally, mothers think about portion sizes in their own way. Total stomach capacity is 300 ml. A child with 200 ml. Only 100 ml after drinking soup. He will be able to take another food.
• Snacks should be in small portions. This should be enough to make him hungry for the next main meal. Candy and sweet foods should not be given as rewards for any reason. In general, reward-punishment should not be applied to food. When implemented, the message will be given to the child that eating is a strategic event.
• Children learn by imitating what they see, not what is told. Therefore, parents should have consistent eating behavior. If the child does not eat the food he tries to eat, it will not be a good example.
• It is not right to force the child to eat in case of refusal. This makes the problems worse. The rejected food should be tried again later. Not eating for one meal, a day, or even for a longer period of time will not harm the child's general condition. As a living creature, it will soon become hungry and want to eat.
• Daily milk consumption should not exceed 2 glasses of water. Excess milk may disrupt nutrition and may also cause anemia and allergies by preventing iron absorption.
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