‹ Back to Nutrition Across Life Stages
Lesson 3 of 4
Nutrition for children and teenagers
Direct answer: ICMR-NIN advises adequate, varied diets for children and adolescents, including foods of animal origin such as milk and eggs where eaten. Growing children and teenagers need more calcium, from foods like milk and milk products, ragi, foxtail millet and sesame. It also recommends at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity a day from age 5 to 19.
Consult a doctor or dietitian: this lesson is general education. Needs at this life stage are individual, so please take personal advice from a doctor or dietitian.
How much calcium do children and teens need?
ICMR-NIN gives recommended allowances of about 850–1050mg a day and suggests calcium-rich foods to build peak bone mass.
How active should they be?
At least 60 minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous activity for ages 5 to 19, per ICMR-NIN.
Who sets an individual plan?
A paediatrician or dietitian.
FAQ
Are sweets OK?
Please ask your child's paediatrician.
Is this personal advice?
No.
Sources
- ICMR-NIN Expert Committee, Dietary Guidelines for Indians-2024 (DGI 2024), nin.res.in/dietaryguidelines/pdfjs/locale/DGI_2024.pdf, Guideline 5 and calcium, PDF p. 55 / printed p. 38; activity for 5–19 years, PDF p. 87 / printed p. 70; animal-origin foods, PDF p. 29 / printed p. 12
Progress is saved in this browser only. We don't collect it.
Nutrition Across Life Stages: all 4 lessons
General education, not medical advice.
Educational content, not medical advice. Checked against FSSAI and ICMR-NIN sources by Team Snactivate. For personal advice, consult a doctor or dietitian.