picky eaters are growing fine.
Don't use food as a reward. It is OK to plan a special "break" meal one time every 1 to 2 weeks after good habits are in place.Try baking, steaming, grilling, or broiling instead of frying.
Serve healthy foods: ‚
- Encourage your child to eat more fruits, vegetables, and fresh meat.
- Give your child milk or water with meals and snacks. Limit your child's juice and flavored drinks. Experts recommend NO juice or flavored drinks. If you must give your child juice or flavored drinks:
- 1 to 6 year old children should have no more than 4 to 6 ounces per day
- 7 to 18 year old children should have no more than 8 to 12 ounces per day
- Read ingredient labels. If you don't understand or recognize the ingredients listed on the label, it is probably not good for your child.
- Unlike adults, children need more fats and protein as they grow. Talk to your doctor to see when to switch your child to low fat milk.
What changes to diet are needed?
Your childs body needs a balance of foods to: ‚
- Get quick energy. These are mainly carbs.
- Help grow and fix the body. These are mainly proteins.
- Give long-term energy. These are mainly fats.
What foods are good to eat?
- Grains are a good source of carbs and fiber. Try to give your child whole grain, high fiber foods each day. These are things like bread, cereals, brown rice, or pasta.
- Fruits and vegetables are good sources of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and natural sugar. Try to pick a variety of kinds and colors. Buy them fresh or frozen, not processed or canned.
- Milk is a good source of protein and some vitamins and minerals. Most children above age 2 should choose milk that is low in fat, like 1% or skim milk. Eat cheeses, ice cream, yogurt, and other dairy products. Watch portion size of dairy products as too much may lead to hard stools, low iron anemia, or excess sugar intake.
- Meats and beans are good sources of protein, iron, and fiber. Give your child meats like beef, pork, chicken, turkey, and fish. Eggs and peanut butter are good sources of protein as well. Dried peas, beans, and lentils are also good. Fatty fish, like salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring, and trout, are good to eat and have healthy omega-3 fats.
- Good fats can give your child long-term energy. These are found in fish, nuts, and avocados. Try using olive oil, safflower oil, and low-fat salad dressing and mayonnaise as toppings. Cook with olive, canola, or peanut oil instead of vegetable oil. Other healthy oils include corn, sunflower, and soybean oils.
What foods should be limited or avoided?
- Stay away from sugary drinks like soda and juice. Offer water for most of your childs drinks.
- Foods with mostly sugar or high fructose corn syrup should not be part of your child's regular nutrition.
- Limit processed meats and most processed foods.
- Trans fats should be avoided. Most trans fats are found in processed foods and are very unhealthy. Saturated fat, which is different from trans fat, should be monitored and limited if portions are too big.
Will there be any other care needed?
- Teach your child about healthy foods. This will help your child make good choices when in school.
- Ask your childs doctor at each well visit about the choices you make for your child's nutrition.
- Visit a registered dietician if you would like more personalized advice.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Pediatrics ‚
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/Eating-for-Good-Health.aspx ‚
FamilyDoctor.org ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/kids/eating-nutrition/healthy-eating/tips-for-healthy-children-and-families.printerview.all.html ‚
Kids Health ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_center/healthy_eating/eating_tips.html?tracking=P_RelatedArticle#cat20743 ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚