| A healthy diet for children has enough nutrients for | | | | followed by several servings of fresh fruits and |
| them to grow and have energy. The nutrients | | | | vegetables every day. And as you ‘climb’ up |
| children need include protein, carbohydrate, fat, | | | | the pyramid you get to dairy products (milk, cheese, |
| vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The amount of nutrients | | | | and yogurt) and meat, fish, beans, nuts and eggs. |
| your child needs changes as he grows. His nutrient | | | | And finally, fats, oils, and sweets are at the very top |
| needs also depend on the amount of physical activity | | | | of the pyramid–which means that you should eat |
| he does every day. A healthy diet also limits | | | | very little of these foods! |
| unhealthy foods that are high in fat and sugar. | | | | If a snack is providing 25 percent of a child’s |
| Nutrition for kids is in some ways similar to nutrition | | | | total calories, parents should aim for no more than |
| for adults. Everyone, regardless of age, needs the | | | | 600 mg of sodium and between 10 and 15 grams of |
| same types of nutrients — such as | | | | fat per snack. Sugar is tough because nutrition labels |
| carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals | | | | don’t distinguish between naturally occurring |
| — just in different amounts. Children differ from | | | | sugar and added sugar. |
| adults in that they have periods of rapid growth and | | | | You don't want to restrict sugar from whole fruits, |
| development. | | | | veggies or skim or low-fat milk. For sugar, scan the |
| Get children involved at mealtimes – younger | | | | ingredient list and steer clear of snacks with high |
| children in particular are far more likely to eat | | | | fructose corn syrup in the first few ingredients. |
| something they’ve made themselves so let them | | | | Infant formula is the only alternative to breast milk. |
| help you cook healthy meals such as fishcakes, | | | | Cow's milk is not suitable as a main drink in the first |
| homemade burgers, fruit muffins, whole meal scones, | | | | year. Infant formula at reduced prices is available for |
| smoothies and sandwiches. Meanwhile, encourage | | | | babies under one year old in families on a low income. |
| teenagers to eat with the family. | | | | It is recommended that you breastfeed your baby |
| Take a look at what the whole families are eating | | | | for the first six months of their life, after which they |
| – kids rarely have bad eating habits on their own | | | | will start to need more than just milk. This is the time |
| so if your child is gaining too much weight, it’s | | | | to begin gradually introducing non-milk foods, a |
| unlikely the rest of the family is having a healthy diet. | | | | process called 'weaning'. |
| If this is the case, encourage a healthy, balanced diet | | | | Keep healthy food at hand. Children will eat what's |
| for everyone. | | | | readily available. Keep fruit in a bowl on the counter, |
| Limit fat intake by avoiding deep-fried foods and | | | | not buried in the crisper section of your fridge. And |
| choosing healthier cooking methods, such as broiling, | | | | have an apple for your own snack. "Your actions |
| grilling, roasting, and steaming. Choose low-fat or | | | | scream louder than anything you will ever tell them," |
| nonfat dairy products. | | | | says Sothern. Remember, your child can only choose |
| The foods that make up the widest part of the | | | | foods that you stock in the house. |
| pyramid’s base–breads, cereals, rice and | | | | Read about Diet and Recipes and Upload and Share |
| pasta–should be the biggest part of your diet, | | | | Videos, Photos. |