Dr Michelle Celander Children's Missing Nutrients

Dr Michelle Celander Children's Missing Nutrients

Many Aussie kids struggle to meet their recommended dietary intakes of iron and calcium - essential nutrients that support brain and bone development.

The most recent survey of the nation's dietary intake released data in May showing that breakfast cereals and milk are the largest contributors of iron and calcium in children's diets.

Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics also shows that breakfast cereal contributes about 23% of a 4-8 year old child's iron intake. This figure was 19% for children aged 9-13 years making breakfast cereal the largest contributor to iron intakes in Australian children.

An earlier Flinders University report found that in general, 4-8 year olds who don't eat breakfast cereal fall short of meeting their recommended dietary intake of iron. The report also showed that children who ate breakfast cereal had twice the milk intakes across the day compared to those that didn't.

'Cereal and milk are the largest contributors of iron and calcium in Australian children's diets. Research shows children who eat breakfast cereal get about twice the iron and calcium at breakfast compared to those that don't," says Dr Michelle Celander PhD, senior nutrition & regulatory affairs manager, Kellogg ANZ.

'Few other breakfast options that kids eat provide the iron and calcium of cereal with milk. A bowl of cereal and a glass of milk can provide up to 30% of a young child's daily iron and calcium needs, which is a significant proportion," says Celander.

'Kellogg's Nutrition advocates a balanced breakfast of grains, dairy and fruit to maximise the nutritional opportunity at breakfast. A balanced breakfast provides the best start to the day for kids, to help ensure they meet their daily nutrient requirements," continues Dr Celander.

Further nutrition information and resources for health professionals to help clients and their families achieve a balanced diet; can be found at www.kellogghealthprofessionalanz.com

Interview with Dr Michelle Celander

Question: What are the main nutrients missing from Australian children's diets?

Dr Michelle Celander: We know from the 2007 Australian National Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey that calcium and iron are among the most at risk nutrients in young children's' diets. Iron and calcium are essential nutrients for children, with iron helping to support developing brains and calcium being important for strong bones. Iron works to transport oxygen around the body, releases energy and produces red blood cells. Calcium is important for bone development in kids and the healthy functioning of nerves and muscle tissue.


Question: How can parents ensure children meet their recommended dietary intake of iron and calcium?

Dr Michelle Celander: Kids need a variety of foods containing iron and calcium to help them meet their daily requirements. Breakfast cereal is the largest contributor of iron in children's diets, followed by breads and then red meat and dishes. When it comes to calcium, dairy milk is the single largest contributor in children's diets. With this in mind, ensuring children eat a balanced breakfast that includes iron-fortified cereal with milk will help to ensure their child starts the day with a boost of iron and calcium. Children who start the say with cereal are more likely to meet their recommended dietary intake of both of these essential nutrients.

b>Question: What foods (and serving sizes) make up a child's recommended dietary intake of iron and calcium?

Dr Michelle Celander: A serve of Kellogg cereal and a glass of milk can provide up to 30 per cent of a young kid's daily iron and calcium needs.

There are many other combinations of foods that can contribute to iron in young children's diets, including iron-fortified bread, red meat such as lamb or beef, tuna, eggs and spinach. Other dairy foods, such as yoghurt and cheese, are important contributors to calcium intakes too.


Question: How can a balanced breakfast cover a large percentage of a child's recommended dietary intake of iron and calcium?

Dr Michelle Celander: At Kellogg, we believe a balanced breakfast consists of one serve of grains, one serve of dairy and one serve of fruit or protein. Choosing foods from a variety of core food groups helps to ensure children start their day with a variety of essential nutrients. Including foods containing Vitamin C, such as having fruits or vegetables with your meal, helps to increase the iron absorption from other foods, such as your iron-fortified breakfast cereal.


Question: Can you describe what a child's balanced breakfast?

Dr Michelle Celander: A balanced breakfast is simple: a serve of grains, a serve of reduced-fat dairy and a serve of fruit or protein. Try out different combinations, such as:
1 serve of breakfast cereal + 1 cup reduced-fat milk + 1 serve of fruit
1 serve of porridge + 1 cup reduced fat milk + 1 serve of fruit
1 serve of muesli + small tub reduced-fat yoghurt + 1 serve of fruit
1 slice of toast + ½ cup reduced-fat white cheese + 1 serve of fruit
1 slice toast + 1 egg + 1 cup reduced fat milk


Question: Why is it important that children always eat breakfast?
Dr Michelle Celander: Children who choose cereal for breakfast are less likely to fall short of their nutrient requirements for the day, including for iron and calcium. Breakfast not only helps children to meet their daily recommended intake of essential nutrients, but research shows that people who eat cereal for breakfast tend to have lower body weights than those that don't and that eating breakfast can help with both kids' memory and attention in the morning.


Question: What role does iron and calcium play in a children's diet?

Dr Michelle Celander: Iron and calcium are essential nutrients for children, with iron helping to support developing brains and calcium being important for strong bones. Iron works to transport oxygen around the body, releases energy and produces red blood cells. Calcium is important for bone development in kids and the healthy functioning of nerves and muscle tissue.


Question: Can you talk us through the perfect lunchbox, for a primary-school aged child?

Dr Michelle Celander: A good lunchbox should contain a combination of a grains, protein foods, fresh fruit and vegetables and a bottle of water. As a snack, fresh fruit, vegetables, yoghurt or cheese sticks are great choices. For lunch, breads provide an energy boost and are perfect for a variety of fillings with protein, such as lean meat, eggs and cheese. A delicious salad such as a tuna pasta salad or a rice salad can provide also nutritious energy at recess. Popcorn and muesli bars with whole grain and fibre can be added occasionally for a treat.

Children are more likely to eat what is in their lunch box if they help choose and make it, so lunch time is a great opportunity to introduce kids to positive eating habits.


Interview by Brooke Hunter