Childhood nutrition

Children are growing constantly and require good nutrition to build healthy bodies. An eating pattern that includes a variety of foods from across the food groups will provide children with the range of nutrients and fuel they need.

Dairy foods are one of the core food groups and are best known for calcium and the role it plays in building strong bones. Along with the rest of their body, children’s bones are growing rapidly throughout this period of their life.

3 serves of dairy foods each day will provide a child with their daily calcium requirement as well as significant amounts of nine other essential nutrients, including protein for growth and development, zinc for brain function and vitamin A for healthy eyes.

For more information on nutrition during childhood see Dairy Australia's Healthy Eating for Children fact sheet.