Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City
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Against common belief, parents should monitor the number of calories a child consumes each day, and where the calories are coming from. If children are eating too much of one food group, and not enough of another, they may suffer from vitamin deficiencies which lead to numerous health problems.
The suggested amounts of food to consume from basic food groups, subgroups and oils to meet recommended nutrient intakes at 12 different calorie levels can be found in the table below. The table includes the basic food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, meat and beans, milk and oils.
Calorie levels are set across a wide range to accommodate the needs of different individuals. Children between 2 and 3 years of age should consume between 1,000 and 1,400 calories, depending on their level of activity.
A lifestyle that includes physical activity equivalent to walking more than 2 miles per day at 3 to 4 miles per hour, in addition to the light physical activity associated with typical day-to-day life is considered an active lifestyle, and should follow the higher end of the recommended calories. Those who follow a lifestyle that includes only the light physical activity associated with typical day-to-day life should follow the lower end.
Girls between the ages of 4 and 8 years of age should consume between 1,200 and 1,800 calories per day and those between 9 and 13 years of age should consume between 1,600 and 2,200 calories per day, depending on their level of activity (USDA).Boys between the ages of 4-8 years of age should consume between 1,400 and 2,000 calories per day and those between 9 and 13 years of age should consume between 1,800 and 2,600 calories per day, depending on their level of activity (USDA).
It’s important to teach your children the proper balance of food consumption and caloric intake from a young age to maintain optimum health from a young age. If your child understands the benefits of balancing their food groups throughout their day, they will learn to take care of their health and well-being.
Not only does eating a well-balanced diet affect your child’s health, it also affects their pearly whites! Consuming the proper nutrients help build strong, healthy teeth, free of cavities and erosion.
Schedule an appointment today with Dr. Reynolds at the Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City to ensure proper oral health habits! For more information, visit PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com.
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