|  | Diet Nutrition | Nutrition

Principles of Nutrition for Children

According the the Mayo Clinic, nutritional principles are the same for children and adults. They both need the same basic nutrients; however, children need different amounts of these nutrients, including vitamins, carbohydrates and protein to help them grow as they should. Guidelines for each age group are established by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Sciences, a non-profit organization that provides unbiased advice to both decision makers and the general public.

  1. Ages Two to Three

    • During this period, the nutritional requirements are the same for boys and girls, but this changes as they get older. Children need to consume anywhere from 1,000 to 1,400 calories per day. Up to 20 percent of those calories need to be from protein and up to 65 percent should be from carbohydrates. Sodium should be limited to 1,000 milligrams per day. Children should get 19 grams of fiber, as well as 500 milligrams of calcium per day.

    Four to Eight Years Old

    • Girls this age should consume between 1,200 and 1,800 calories per day and boys should consume 1,400 to 2,000 calories per day. Protein should account for up to 30 percent of those calories, carbohydrates should account for up to 65 percent. This applies both boys and girls. Boys and girls should also limit their sodium intake to 1,200 milligrams per day, and get 25 grams of fiber and 800 milligrams of calcium each day.

    Ages 9 to 13

    • Boys in this age group should consume between 1,800 and 2,600 calories per day and 31 grams of fiber per day. Girls should consume between 1,600 and 2,200 calories per day and 26 grams of fiber. Both sexes should get up to 30 percent of their calories from protein and carbohydrates should be up to 65 percent. They should get 1,500 milligrams of sodium and 1,300 milligrams of calcium.

    Ages 14 to 18

    • Girls between ages 14 and 18 should consume 1,800 to 2,400 calories per day and 26 grams of fiber. Boys should consume 2,200 to 3,200 calories and 38 grams of fiber. All kids in this age range should get 30 percent of their calories from protein and 65 percent from carbohydrates. They should get 1,500 milligrams of sodium and 1,300 milligrams of calcium per day.

Nutrition - Related Articles