While a child’s energy needs per kilogramme of body weight decrease after four years of age, the actual amount of energy [read calories] required increases as the child gets older.

From the ages of 4 to 8 years the child’s fats need decreases to 25-35% and from 5 years to adolescence. During this time our children experience slow, but steady growth. As such, regular meals and healthy snacks that include carbohydrate-rich foods, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, lean meat, fish, poultry and eggs.

Legumes and nuts should contribute to children’s proper growth and development without supplying excessive energy to the diet. Calicium is also needed during pre-teen years to support bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis [loss of bone tissue resulting in fragile bones] later in life. The calcium needs for pre-teens is 800mg per day
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