Foods High in Zinc as salmon, seafood-shrimps, beef, yellow cheese, parsley leaves, mushrooms, cocoa, pumpkin seeds, garlic, bean, almonds, pine nut
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Healthy Kids

Article Abstracts
May 16, 2023

Healthy Kids

Top Signs Your Child Needs Zinc

Article Abstracts
Jul 13, 2025

Zinc is a common nutrient deficiency in children (as well as adults).

Here are some of the top signs that your child may be deficient in this nutrient.

  • Frequent infections
  • Picky eating
  • Low appetite and poor growth
  • Eczema or slow skin healing
  • Sensory issues
  • Attention/focus issues
  • Mood or behavior concerns
  • Allergies and histamine symptoms
  • Food sensitivities / “leaky gut”
  • Pica (craving for nonfood items such as rocks, dirt, sand, paper, their shirt sleeves)
  • Horizontal lines on nails
  • Chronic diarrhea

Zinc supports a healthy immune response, may reduce the risk of respiratory infections, reduces picky eating, and improves growth. It can also help heal eczema and leaky gut, reduce sensory issues, support mood and focus, and reduce allergy and histamine symptoms.

Food is medicine, so first reach for foods rich in zinc. Some zinc-rich foods include:

  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Beans
  • Grass-fed beef
  • Lamb
  • Sesame seeds
  • Garbanzo beans
  • Lentils
  • Cashews
  • Quinoa
  • Eggs
  • Organic poultry
  • Shellfish
  • Raw sprouts
  • Liver
  • Spinach
  • Garlic
  • Peanuts
  • Dairy products
REFERENCES

Song, E. (2023, April 4). Top 12 signs your child needs zinc. Healthy Kids Happy Kids e-newsletter. https://healthykidshappykids.com/

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