To enjoy good health, grow normally and meet their daily energy needs, children need:
Protein: used to build and repair cells in the body. Found in dairy products, meat, seafood, eggs, nuts, legumes, grains and cereals.
Carbohydrates: provide fuel for the brain and muscles. Obtained from breads, cereals, potatoes, rice, pasta, legumes, fruit and sugar.
Fats: provide the body with reserves of energy and are important for healthy cells. Found in oils, butter, margarine, full cream dairy products, nuts, seeds and avocado.
Water: the main component of the human body. Obtained from drinks but also from foods such as fruits and vegetables.
Minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron etc.): for good teeth, energy, strong bones and healthy blood cells. Calcium can be found in dairy products; phosphorus in dairy products, meat and fish; magnesium in cereals; and iron in meat, legumes and cereals.
Vitamins are important to ensure that the processes in the body function optimally. Vitamins are essential because the body cannot make many of them and, therefore, we need to get them from food. There are several types of vitamins and any one food does not contain all of them in adequate amounts. Eat a variety of foods from the core food groups in order to meet your daily requirements for all vitamins.
´Get the AIS into Your Classroom´ is a curriculum-based program for upper primary schools, which teaches students about the key to good nutrition and a healthy, balanced lifestyle. For more information about this resource, go to www.ais.org.au/schools.