Is Your Child Getting Enough Vitamins And Minerals?

As our babies grow, it’s important for them to get enough vitamins and minerals to ensure optimal health. Most kids get adequate amounts of nutrients from a balanced diet, but under certain circumstances, they may need to supplement with vitamins or minerals. So how do you know if they’re getting enough?

- Dr Kishore Kumar

Yesterday I had a worried parent approach me with her five-year old kid. Her grouse was that he had frequent cough and cold because of which, he would miss his classes a lot. I simply asked the mum one question, ‘Does your child eat his vegetables and fruits?’ But I found out would only eat rice and ghee, skipping everything else. This is not a one-off case, most of the toddlers and pre-schoolers I consult hate to eat veggies and would only fill up on carbs. But in reality, their growing body is still hungry for nutrients.

INDIAN CHILDREN FALLING SHORT ON VITAMINS AND MINERALS

Unfortunately, Indian pre-schoolers are found to be deficient in many micronutrients, most prominently iron, zinc, folate and vitamin A.1 This is particularly concerning because toddlers and pre-schoolers require 2.5 times more iron, two times more calcium and two times more energy when compared to an adult.