Compared to adults, children should be taught healthy food consumption habits which will help them make the right choices, this is certainly a part of their education which should not be overlooked. Often times we find parents who don't exactly know what the right food choices are because they haven't been properly taught or just don't keep a healthy diet which would provide the right vitamins our children's bodies need.

The fact is that without proper guidance children avoid food which are rich in vitamins and minerals needed to develop healthy bodies, vital minerals and vitamins can be found in dairy products, fruits, vegetables and lean meat. Through a child's eye food is all about candies, ice cream, hot dogs, cookies,"fries floating in Ketchup", soda, etc. So we need to realize that as adults we need to start acting properly by setting an example and teaching them to eat food that will benefit their bodies and health.

Children who are left alone to decide what kind of food they want to eat end up suffering from vitamin and mineral deficiencies. These chemicals are supplied to their bodies through eating, as they are not produced by our bodies naturally.

Among the most important vitamins and minerals every child needs to develop into healthy adults we have:

Calcium is a very important mineral which should be provided to children through milk based products such as yogurt, ice cream, cheese and obviously milk. Calcium helps them build strong bones and can be also supplied through cereals, vitamins and calcium-fortified juices but beware that these last products do not guarantee a nutritional adequate diet. Nowadays, we can find all sorts of calcium-enriched products such as spreads-margarine, snacks and even rice.

Iron is another important mineral which is needed to help prevent diseases such as anemia. Babies are the ones usually the ones who are most at risk of suffering from iron deficiencies but make sure to talk to your doctor about the amounts of iron needed for an infant to develop properly. Too much iron in the blood can cause serious diseases such as hemochromatosis, that's why consulting with a pediatrician about iron-enriched vitamins can prevent complications.

An extremely important vitamin every child's body needs is vitamin D. Just like calcium, vitamin D helps them build strong bones and teeth. In babies, a vitamin D deficiency can trigger diseases such as Rickets which causes bone deformity which manifests itself by weakening or softening the skull, wrists, ribs and ankles.

Other equally important vitamins and minerals include vitamin A, C, D, B-12, thiamine, riboflavin, fluoride and niacin. Remember to always consult with your child's doctor before you give them any supplement.