Yes, a child’s diet can be like that of an adult (if he eats healthily), but by calibrating his energy intake with the different lifestyle.
Is nutrition for healthy growth different from that for adults? «Contrary to what many believe, no», replies Chiara Segré of the Veronesi Foundation.
Same rules for everyone. «It is necessary to calibrate the energy intake with the child’s lifestyle, which should always include at least an hour of exercise a day, but otherwise the rules are the same: eat plenty of vegetables, don’t choose meat every day but alternate it with fish and legumes, prefer cheeses with low fat and salt content».
Balance. «Yes to daily milk and yogurt (it doesn’t make much difference whether they are whole or skimmed)», continues Segré. «However, if you don’t like milk it is not compulsory to drink it, the calcium fundamental for the development of the skeleton can be obtained from other dairy products, vegetables and water.
Pay attention to breakfast and snacks. The package of biscuits from which to draw without paying attention to the quantities or the daily sandwich with cold cuts are mistakes to beware of. Better to “monitor” the first meal in the morning and focus on alternative snacks such as fresh or dried fruit, a bit of bread with two squares of dark chocolate or ricotta, a pack of crackers.” These tips are given to children in the educational game Foodland by the Veronesi Foundation, but are also valid for adults.
