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VOL. 2 The Beneﬁts of Protein in Early Childhood Development ab&c awareness, benefits, & change

Understanding Childhood Nutrition We also need protein to make enzymes, hormones, and vitamins that are critical Animal proteins are the key to 30% grains to brain and immune system functions. cognitive and physical developments 40% vegetables in children. 10% fruits Protein, along with fats and carbohydrates, 20% protein provides needed calories to our body. Infancy, childhood, and adolescence 1 serving of dairy These added nutrients are necessary are measured by many demanding Depending on the age and weight of during the aggressive growth and physical and cognitive milestones. a child, serving sizes and exact development that occurs from birth Babies’ first goals are to double their percentages will vary. until early adulthood. Childhood protein birth weight, then sit up, crawl, and requirements are significantly higher walk. We watch as toddlers learn One of the key building blocks to per pound of body weight than what to run, jump, and recite their ABCs. achieving proper nutrition is protein. an adult needs. This shifts the balanced Teenagers demonstrate expanding The protein food group contains meat, dietary requirement of protein up to as intelligence and physical capabilities. poultry, seafood, high as 30% of the Proper nutrition is required for the beans and peas, total caloric intake mind and body to fully develop in eggs, processed between the ages of 20% – 30% 2 support of this explosive growth. soy products, nuts, 4 and 18 years old. of a child’s diet and seeds. The Building Blocks of Nutrition should come from protein Now that we According to the USDA’s MyPlate Our body’s growth understand that program1, a balanced diet of proper relies heavily on protein. It supports the a measurable calories and nutrients should be development of our bones, muscles, amount of protein is critical to proper made up of approximately the cartilage, skin, and blood. Hair and nails nutrition, particularly to aid in physical following: are predominantly made up of protein. and cognitive development during childhood, it leads to the question… Daily Protein Requirements

Age 1 –3 Years Age 4 –8 Years Age 9 –13 Years

13g 19g 34g

½ cup milk = 4g ¾ cup whole grain cereal = 3g 1 cup broccoli = 2.5g ½ cup peas = 3g 1 sweet potato = 2g ½ cup brown rice = 3.5g 1 egg = 6g 2 ounces chicken = 14g mozzarella cheese stick = 7g 3 ounces beef = 21g

The total grams represent the minimum daily protein intake.3

Does the source of protein matter? amino acids that our body needs and production of DNA and red blood This topic is often debated, critiqued, are considered “incomplete protein cells, and helps maintain normal brain and even misstated in health and sources.” Conversely, animal proteins function. wellness publications. Headlines including meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and Deficiency: Children can experience profess that a plant-based diet is key dairy, are considered “complete protein developmental delays, slowed growth, to a healthy lifestyle. They are often sources,” containing all the essential irritability, neurological problems, 4 written to generate fear through claims amino acids that we require. and weakness. that animal proteins are filled with saturated fats linked to countless health The 2010 Report of the Dietary Guidelines HEME IRON Advisory Committee recommends eating risks, from obesity to disease or death. Source: Red Meat Behind these misleading articles is the more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, hypothesis that beans, nuts, and Benefit: Used to carry oxygen in the animal proteins are seeds to reduce blood, treat anemia, fight fatigue, “bad” while plant- the risk of chronic improve muscle strength, and boost based proteins are disease and ensure immunity and concentration. = adequate nutrients “good.” But is this Deficiency: Iron-deficient anemia is are consumed. true? Are animal common in children. Non-heme iron However, they do proteins better All proteins are NOT created equal from plant-based foods is not as easily not recommend or worse than absorbed by the body. alternative protein sources, or are all the elimination of animal proteins from the diet. The proteins created equal? ZINC Committee goes on to state that animal Source: Beef, Pork, and Lamb The answer is that NO, all proteins are foods provide a higher quality as well not created equal; therefore, YES, the as a greater quantity of protein per Benefit: Supports biochemical reactions source of protein does matter. calorie. This combination is particularly and helps the immune system function valuable to the cognitive and physical properly. Our body’s metabolic processes require developments that occur during childhood. Deficiency: Children may experience proteins, which are made up of amino growth impediments and increased risk acids, to properly function. Our body of infection. needs a balance of twenty types of Here is a list of some critical vitamins amino acids. We can naturally produce and nutrients that are most commonly found in animal-based proteins:4 eleven; the other nine essential amino It is clear that protein source does acids must come from the food we matter and animal proteins are not eat. Unfortunately, the majority of plant VITAMIN B12 “bad.” In fact, they offer many health proteins, like beans, lentils, and nuts, Source: Fish, Meat, Poultry, and Dairy benefits that cannot be found in plant- are missing at least one of the essential based alternatives. Benefit: Supports nerve health, the Top 10 Proteins7 Animal foods offer more protein per calorie; seven of the top ten foods highest in protein are animal-source proteins.7

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Lean Chicken Lean Pork Breast Chops

3 4 Animal Protein Proven Critical in metabolic risk factors, along with the Early Childhood reduction of bone parameters during 6 Researchers from the USDA ARS growth. In the study, developmental Western Human Nutrition Research improvements were shown after Center5 reviewed the role of animal- interventions with milk and animal Tuna Beef Skirt source protein in early childhood proteins, which provide a higher Steak development. The study evaluated quantity of protein per calorie. at-risk children in undeveloped nations 5 where access to milk and other animal- In developed nations like the United 6 source foods can be less than 5% of States, we are fortunate that children total calorie intake. have greater access to whole nutrition. When adequate nutrition can not be Without access to the critical nutrients provided in their own home, subsidized derived from these foods, particularly programs, like the USDA’s National Firm Tofu Lentils Vitamin B12, which is only derived from School Lunch Program, are available to animal protein, children experienced support healthy growth and cognitive growth and cognitive delays. Too development in early childhood. little protein can create a deficiency 7 8 References: 1. United States Department of in children, leading to multiple Agriculture, 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines. health issues, including fatigue, poor 2. Getting Childhood Off to a Strong Start with Protein. International Food Information Council concentration, slowed growth, bone Foundation, October 2010. 3. The National and joint pain, delayed wound healing, Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, 6 Dietary Reference Intakes. June 2018. 4. Animal vs. and decreased immune response. Plant Protein–What’s the Difference?Healthline , Low-Fat Grated June 2017. 5. The importance of milk and other Yogurt Parmesan animal-source foods for children in low-income Even if a child consumes enough countries. USDA ARS Western Human Nutrition protein from plant sources, but if that Research Center, September 2011. 6. Low child does not meet minimum caloric muscle mass and strength in pediatrics patients: 9 Why should we care? Clinical Nutrition Journal, 10 needs, critical nutrients will be used April 2019. 7. Top 10 Foods Highest in Protein. for their daily energy demands. In MyFoodData.com, July 2019. turn, muscle mass development and maintenance, as well as hormone production, will be diminished. Seeds Eggs Muscle mass gains are associated with improved neurodevelopment in early life. The lack of muscle mass and strength is linked to multiple