12 Best Foods To Help Children Grow Taller

Genetics determines 80% of the height of an individual (1). However, as per studies, environmental factors (like nutrition and lifestyle) may also influence the height of an individual in their growing years (2). Intake of foods that help kids grow taller may provide the much-needed boost to their growth.
While we cannot do much about genes, we can ensure to provide proper nutrition to kids to facilitate their growth. In this article, we have listed foods that can aid the overall physical development of your kid, may stimulate the production of the growth hormone, and aid bone growth.

Diet And Height – How Are They Related?

Height is a non-modifiable factor, and the height of a child is mostly dependent on the parents’ height. If both the parents are tall, the child is likely to be tall.

Jesse Feder, Clinical Dietitian at the Memorial Regional Hospital, says, “Kids can get taller naturally by consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet that is rich in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin D.”

Children tend to grow in spurts and have a slightly increased growth rate between 6-8 years. About 25% of growth in height occurs during puberty (3). Two hormones contribute to this – the Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), which determine longitudinal bone growth and maintain bone mass (4). While there are no foods that increase height rapidly, they may help stimulate the production of the growth hormone and aid in bone growth.

Austin Wayne, a YouTuber, attributes his successful height gain journey to a healthy diet that incorporates foods such as grass-fed milk, organic butter, low glycemic fruits, and intermittent fasting. In one of his personal vlogs, he notes, “From the ages of about 17 to 18, I grew from 5’9 to 6’4 in about a year (i).” He continues, “If you are committed to not just height growth but your overall health, you will have to invest in your body. You’re going to have to buy natural, organic, healthy, raw foods.”

Best Foods To Help Children Grow Taller

1. Eggs

Eggs are incredible sources of protein,riboflavinⁱ  XAlso called vitamin B2, it is a water soluble vitamin and is flushed out of the body through urine when present in excess. , biotin, and iron. Protein helps in cell growth and development. A study showed that malnourished children who were fed with a high-protein diet over a period developed more height compared to those who were fed with standard protein (5).

Egg white is a concentrated source of protein. Make sure to include eggs almost every day in your child’s meal. Having a yummy omelet or a boiled egg for breakfast is a great way to start their day and ensure they get proteins. However, check for any allergic symptoms using the 3-7 days trial rule.

2. Dairy And Dairy Products

Milk contains calcium and protein, which aid the growth of bones and also develop strength. Dairy products like cheese, yogurt, curd, and cottage cheese are abundant in calcium and vitamins, which are important for bone mineralization in children (6). Get your kids to drink milk every day or make dishes that are filled with the goodness of milk.

Note: If your child has lactose intolerance, replace cow’s or buffalo’s milk with any plant-derived milk after consulting with a pediatrician.

3. Soybeans

Soybeans are rich in proteins. While they are likely to be useful in improving optimal bone health, the mechanisms are still not clear (7). You can create many yummy dishes with soybeans that your kids will relish.

4. Chicken

Poultry meat is a good source of protein, along with B vitamins (mainly thiaminⁱ  XAlso called vitamin B1, it is an essential water-soluble micronutrient that has to be taken through food or dietary supplements. , Vitamin B6, and pantothenic acidⁱ  XAlso called vitamin B5, it is a water-soluble vitamin naturally present in some foods and available as a dietary supplement. ) (8). Studies on the physical growth of young children belonging to low-income groups show that good quality animal protein is required to accelerate growth and development (9). You can try out different recipes that include chicken to improve the protein intake of your child.

Quick Tip

You can add chicken to your child’s soup, salad, or sandwich. You can also make delicious chicken burgers or sausages with eggs for their meals.

5. Green Leafy Vegetables

Green leafy vegetables not only give your kids strength but also supply a good amount of calcium. The calcium in these vegetables (Chinese cabbage, kale, and broccoli) balances bone resorption (breaking down of tissue in the bone to release minerals) and deposition (building of tissue in the bone by deposition of minerals), which varies according to age (10). In children and adolescents, bone formation is more than resorption, which supports bone growth.

Spinach is rich in iron – 1 cup (180 g) of spinach provides 6.43 mg of iron, which meets 36% of DV (11). You can add green leafy vegetables to soups and stews, pasta, smoothies, and guacamole.

6. Carrots

Carrots are rich in beta-caroteneⁱ  XA pigment that gives fruits their yellow or orange color and gets converted into vitamin A as needed by the body. , which is converted by the body into vitamin A. Adding raw carrots to the diet helps the body absorb calcium more efficiently, which influences bone resorption and keeps them healthy (12). Add raw carrots to salads or make fresh carrot juice for your kids.

7. Fruits

Fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals, essential micronutrients that boost immunity and accelerate growth and development (13). Make it a habit to give your child 1-2 servings of fruit daily. You can also add them to cereals to make them colorful and tasty. Include different varieties of fruits every day to meet the daily requirements.

Jesse says, “Although bananas are healthy, they only contain a small amount of magnesium that can contribute to an increase in height. However, they should still be part of a healthy diet if enjoyed.”

8. Whole Grains

Whole grains are rich in vitamin B, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and iron and contain a small amount of calcium. All these minerals are essential for bone growth and mineralization (14). You can give your kids whole-grain bread and pasta as well as cereals.

9. Yogurt

Yogurt is nutrient-dense and a good source of protein, calcium, vitamin D, andzinc (15). A study suggested a positive correlation between probiotic intake and growth and the development of undernourished children (16). However, more research is needed to establish this. If your kids are not fans of yogurt, get them to eat cheese instead as it is rich in proteins, calcium, and vitamin D.

Quick Tip

You can add different fruits like bananas, pears, or berries to your child’s yogurt as a topping. You can also mix yogurt with quinoa, peanut butter, or oatmeal to make your child’s meal delicious.

10. Mixed Nuts

Nuts are powerhouses of nutrients and contain vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and proteins. The omega-3 fatty acids present in nuts are beneficial for bone health and turnover (17). The proteins in nuts are also vital for the growth of your kid. Include nuts (15 g) as a snack or add them to cereals. You can powder nuts and add them to porridges.

Note: If your kid has nut allergy or intolerance, check with a pediatrician before introducing any new foods.

11. Pulses And Beans

Pulses and beans are excellent sources of protein but have a limiting amount of amino acids(18). If combined with cereals, in the form of khichdi or any other dish, they aid good digestion as well as proper growth. 

12. Almonds

Almonds are packed with essential nutrients such as protein, calcium, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals that are vital for bone health and development and may help kids grow taller. Research shows that consuming almonds may help prevent the growth of osteoclasts (body cells that destroy bone tissue), thus aiding bone health (19). This suggests that it may indirectly aid growth by keeping the bones growing until they reach their maximum growth potential. However, relying solely on almonds to increase your height is not recommended.

While scientific evidence is limited to support the claim that almonds or any other specific food may increase the height of kids, a balanced diet, filled with healthy food like almonds, may provide the necessary nutrients for overall health and well-being, ensuring that individuals reach their maximum height potential based on their genetic predisposition.

Foods To Avoid

According to Jesse, “Sugar does not increase height. In fact, eating a diet high in sugar can contribute to stunted growth, diabetes, obesity, and other health issues.”

As we have seen, proper nutrition is extremely important for the growth and development of children. But there are certain foods that can have detrimental effects on their health. Avoid chocolates, pastries, chips, cookies, French fries, etc. Though they may taste great, they are loaded with free sugars, trans fats, and refined carbs, which affect the health of your child. Consuming too much of processed foods inhibits nutrient absorption, which is essential for growth.

You can allow these foods as a treat or as a part of a cheat meal but not on a regular basis.

Others Tips To Follow

• Make regular exercise a part of the daily routine of your child. Exercises like swimming and spot jumping and yoga poses, like the Surya Namaskar, can help lengthen the spine.
• Encourage your child to play games like basketball or volleyball. Continuous running in these sports stimulates the brain center to secrete the growth hormone (GH), a positive response to facilitate somatic growth (20). Playing during early morning or evening helps your body absorb sunlight, which is important for bone growth.
• Proper sleep is very important to stimulate growth and development. A study showed that sleeping at night for longer helped to stimulate the secretion of the growth hormone (GH) (21). Establish a disciplined waking-sleeping routine to aid your child’s physical development.
• Maintaining good posture is very important. Slumping or slouching may cause pain in the neck and back and affect your child’s height. Hence, it is important to monitor their posture while they sit, stand, or sleep.
• Check with the pediatrician if your kid needs any supplements to enhance growth. Ensure you take them for quarterly check-ups to monitor their overall health.

Infographic: 5 Must-Have Foods For Children To Boost Their Height

Childhood is a crucial stage of our lives where significant growth and development takes place. Therefore, caregivers must help their children make nutritious food choices to ensure they reach a healthy height.

The infographic below describes the top foods that can help boost children’s height. Check it out now!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still grow taller at 18?

Humans reach their final height between the ages of 18 and 20 and stop growing after that. There are growth plates at the end of the long bones in your body that proliferate to make you taller. These growth plates usually stop growing after you reach 18 years of age.

What things affect height?

Genetics, hormonal changes, medical conditions, diet and nutrition, and physical activity affect height.

Does drinking milk make you taller?

Milk contains nutrients like protein and calcium that make the bones grow healthily. But, this is only for children and teens.

What’s the normal height for a 12-year-old?

The average height for a 12-year-old female is 55-64 inches (4’6-5’3) and for a male is 54-63.5 (4’5-5’3) inches.

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn more about planning an effective diet to help you become taller. Watch this video to discover which foods can help you reach your full potential.

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Reda ElmardiRDN

   

Reda Elmardi is a registered dietician, certified nutritionist, and certified strength and conditioning specialist trainer. He has more than 10 years of experience and has been an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Trainer since 2015. He shares sports nutrition tips and gives guidance on exercises, sports, and martial arts through his website. Reda is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt,...more

• Jesse FederRDN/LDN

  Jesse Feder, RDN/LDN, is a Clinical Dietitian at the Memorial Regional Hospital. He is also a certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a personal trainer (ACSM-CPT) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS).
  
  Jesse Feder, RDN/LDN, is a Clinical Dietitian at the Memorial Regional Hospital. He is also a certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a personal trainer (ACSM-CPT) and the National Strength and Conditioning Association as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS).

Priyanka SadhukhanNutritionist, CDE

Priyanka is a nutritionist and a Certified Diabetes Educator. She has over 8 years of experience in nutrition and dietetics with a strong research background. She is passionate about science and how it can be applied to one’s daily lifestyle. According to her, food is the best medicine, and proper nutrition is key to achieving good health. She has also...more

Arshiya SyedaSenior Editor

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

Aparna MallampalliHealth & Wellness Writer

Aparna is a professor-turned-content writer with over 5 years of experience in life sciences. Her passion for writing and interest in the healthcare and wellness industry pushed her toward a career in content writing. She has a master’s degree in microbiology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy. She aims to use her knowledge of...more