Childhood and adolescence are critical windows for nutritional investment. Nutritional deficiencies during development have lifelong consequences.

Key nutritional priorities by age:

• Infants 0–6 months: Breast milk or formula only. Breast milk is the gold standard.
• 6–12 months: Introduce solid foods alongside breast milk. Iron-rich foods are priority.
• Toddlers: Calcium, vitamin D, iron, zinc critical for bone and brain development.
• School age: Adequate protein, iron (especially girls), zinc for growth
• Adolescents: Peak bone mass building — calcium and vitamin D critical. Girls need extra iron due to menstruation.

Common childhood deficiencies: Iron, vitamin D, zinc, iodine.

Key insight: Early food exposure shapes lifelong taste preferences. Repeated exposure to vegetables — even if initially rejected — builds acceptance.

Reference:

Wikipedia: Child nutrition

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_nutrition