Children's diets

Children require a wide variety of foods in their diet so that they can aquire all of the nutrients needed to grow healthy and strong. One important element in the diet of children is the proper amount of fat. Children under two years of age should not be on a fat-restricted diet, because cholesterol and fat are thought to be important nutrients for brain development. Children over two can have lower fat foods added to their diets. Fat in the diet is necessary to help absorb some of the vitamins, including vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K.

Review Date: 05/02/2009
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.