Health Tips
Nutrition for kids
Protein
Choose seafood, lean meat and poultry, eggs, beans, peas, soy products, and unsalted nuts and seeds.
Fruits
Encourage your child to eat a variety of fresh, canned, frozen or dried fruits — rather than fruit juice. If your child drinks juice, make sure it's 100 percent juice and limit his or her servings.
Vegetables
Serve a variety of fresh, canned or frozen vegetables — especially dark green, red and orange vegetables, beans and peas
Grains
Choose whole grains, such as whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, popcorn, quinoa, or brown or wild rice
Dairy
Encourage your child to eat and drink fat-free or low-fat dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, cheese or fortified soy beverages.
Aim to limit your child's calories from solid fats and added sugar, such as butter, cake and soda. Look for ways to replace solid fats with vegetable and nut oils, which provide essential fatty acids and vitamin E. Oils are naturally present in olives, nuts, avocados and seafood.
If you have questions about nutrition for kids or specific concerns about your child's diet, talk to your child's doctor or a registered dietitian.