1 VITAMIN A
Besides supporting general health and growth, vitamin A also protects against infection.
Get it from: Papayas, plums and watermelons
2 CHOLINE
Budding brainiacs need sufficient choline – essential for producing neurotransmitters critical for memory and learning – to support brain development.
Get it from: Honeydew, grapefruits and peaches
3 VITAMIN C
This vital nutrient helps form proteins essential for strong and healthy skin, tendons, bones, teeth and gums; it also boosts the immune system.
Get it from: Guavas (one-quarter of a cup has four times the daily requirement), strawberries and kiwi fruit
4 ZINC
Kids tend to get cuts and scrapes during play, so include in their diet plenty of zinc, which repairs damaged tissue and heals wounds.
Get it from: Dried prunes, avocados, pomegranates and bananas
5 MAGNESIUM
Magnesium promotes healthy muscle and nerve function, and helps little ones to relax in times of stress. It also keeps bones strong and regulates blood sugar levels.
Get it from: Blackberries, raspberries and jackfruit
This article was originally published in Simply Her March 2014.