A nutritional deficiency occurs when your child is not getting adequate vitamins or minerals. There are some deficiencies that are extremely common, such as vitamin D or iron deficiencies. But it can occur with any of the important nutrients they need in their body. The imbalance is caused by a wide range of things, and can lead to a number of adverse health conditions.

Here are some signs of nutritional deficiencies in children, and tips for preventing it.

Signs Your Kids Might Have Nutritional Deficiencies

There are many aspects of health that adults assume kids don’t deal with, such as nutritional deficiencies. Even if your kids eat 3 square meals a day with snacks, that doesn’t mean all their nutritional needs are being met.

Here are some signs that your children might have one or more nutritional deficiencies:

• Fatigue
• Lack of appetite
• Mood swings
• Skin or hair changes
• Mouth problems

Physical and mental changes in your kids are what can signal to nutritional deficiencies. Even if you’re not sure it has anything to do with their diet, this is a good reason to think about what they are eating on a daily basis.

Looking at Their Meals and Snacks

Now is a good time to consider what your kids are eating on a typical day. You really want to look at balance of the important nutrients children need. You want balanced meals with protein, healthy fats, and carbs in each meal and snack. They should also have a good amount of calcium, fiber, and reduced sugars. 

Other nutrients to look for are:

Iron – Healthy skin and nails, and improving muscle growth.

Vitamin D – Strong muscles, bones, and teeth.

Vitamin A – For healthy skin and improved vision.

Vitamin B – Improve their red blood cell counts.

Vitamin C – Improve immunity and fight off infection.

What to do About Picky Eaters

Many kids (and adults, let’s be honest) struggle with being picky eaters. Some kids just don’t like certain tastes and textures, while others are afraid to try new things. Whatever the case, here are some tips for handling picky eaters who might be missing out on important vitamins and minerals:

Combine their favorite foods with healthier options. 

For example, if your kids love macaroni and cheese, you don’t have to stop serving it! Just make sure that meal also has vegetables and protein for the added nutrients, like making a bowl of macaroni and cheese with chicken and broccoli.

Let your kids pick their meals.

You of course want them to choose from all the important food groups, but they should still be able to put some of their meals and snacks together on their own.