Child Nutrition

I wanted my kids to be good eaters. It mattered quite a lot to me, in fact. But I wondered, during the breast-pump-and-jarred-baby-food days, what I could do to help them grow up liking not only broccoli and oranges but also foods like salmon, fava b...

I wanted my kids to be good eaters. It mattered qu...

When I grab my stethoscope in the morning for a day of seeing typical kids, I know without looking at the appointment list that I'll be viewing the consequences of big portion sizes, overprocessed snacks and sweets, and a lack of veggies. It's not on...

When I grab my stethoscope in the morning for a da...

Let your child choose one of two options--and get his input prior to prepping the meal. (How easy is that?!) A recent Dutch study found that kids appreciated getting the chance to pick a veggie before dinner. In fact, researchers found that "reactive...

Let your child choose one of two options--and get ...

"What is pork, exactly?" my 6-year-old daughter, Frances, asked, eyeing her tenderloin with suspicion. We had just finished reading Charlotte's Web. "Pork is the word we use to describe meat that comes from a pig," I said, as casually as possible. "T...

"What is pork, exactly?" my 6-year-old daughter, F...

Do like Siskel and Ebert. Encourage your child to try a new food by asking her if it's "thumbs up," says Sarah Lawhun, a dietitian with the Healthy Kids, Healthy Weight program, in Cleveland. She gives a thumbs-up if she likes it, thumbs-down if she ...

Do like Siskel and Ebert. Encourage your child to ...

Good: GrapesBetter: RaisinsWhy: A serving of raisins packs more iron. It also has more of the nutrient that kills cavity- and gingivitis-causing bacteria.Good: TomatoBetter: Cherry tomatoWhy: A serving of cherry tomatoes has more lycopene than a serv...

Good: GrapesBetter: RaisinsWhy: A serving of raisi...

Some kids can't stomach the idea of breakfast. But eating a morning meal gives your child essential vitamins and minerals, and replenishes blood sugar -- the brain's main source of fuel -- which dips after a night of fasting. Studies show that breakf...

Some kids can't stomach the idea of breakfast. But...

To get kids (and adults) to eat more fruits and veggies, Welch's and Produce for Better Health Foundation suggests pack lunches with a different color theme every day of the week, using produce from the designated shade. A few ideas:Monday Color: Pur...

To get kids (and adults) to eat more fruits and ve...

Recommended dietary allowances, or RDAs, for protein are the same for boys and girls until age14, but teenage boys require more protein than teen girls. However, individualized protein needs are based on body weight. Since boys usually weigh more tha...

Recommended dietary allowances, or RDAs, for prote...

Babies love to explore the world with their mouths and enjoy tasting everything from bugs to bananas. While learning to eat and try new foods is an important part of childhood development, there are a few things you should avoid giving your child unt...

Babies love to explore the world with their mouths...

Preschoolers are sometimes picky eaters, going on food jags and eating the same few foods over and over again. They may only like foods that are certain colors or textures. While this is normal and you shouldn't force your child to eat any particular...

Preschoolers are sometimes picky eaters, going on ...

Boys and men require proper nutrition to stay healthy and maintain an ideal body weight. However, Weight-control Information Network reports that about 74 percent of men and 33 percent of boys in the U.S. are overweight or obese. Making calories coun...

Boys and men require proper nutrition to stay heal...

As your baby reaches the 14-month mark, she will eat considerably less food than she did when she was younger, which can make it tough to ensure that she is getting the nutrition she needs. Toddlers often don't eat as much as babies do because their ...

As your baby reaches the 14-month mark, she will e...

You don't need to avoid all unhealthy foods to stay healthy. The best way to maintain nutritional wellness, says the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, is to eat a variety of nutritious foods and allow for some wiggle room, which staves off deprivat...

You don't need to avoid all unhealthy foods to sta...

Toddlers and young children are sometimes selective when it comes to eating healthy foods. However, your child’s nutrition affects his growth and development. Offering your child healthy foods he loves to eat can help him meet his nutrition requireme...

Toddlers and young children are sometimes selectiv...

Healthy eating habits are learned early in childhood. Although toddlers tend to be finicky at the dinner table, it's still important to provide healthy foods to encourage your toddler to acquire a taste for them. By teaching your little one to enjoy ...

Healthy eating habits are learned early in childho...

Kids often don't know what's best for their health and would rather snack on junk food than the nutritious foods you know they need. Many sugary and fattening foods are also explicitly marketed toward young audiences. There are many ways to get your ...

Kids often don't know what's best for their health...

Over 20 percent of American children and adults are deficient in essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin A and magnesium, reported the U.S. Department of Agriculture in a 2005 study. The best way to ensure a 14-year-old consumes enoug...

Over 20 percent of American children and adults ar...

Your child's growth and development depend largely on a proper diet. Feeding your child healthy food might be a simple concept, but, as many parents learn, it is not always a simple task. Picky eaters can be hard to please when it comes to nutritious...

Your child's growth and development depend largely...

You can begin educating your child on healthy eating even if she is still in the toddler years. Introduce healthy, whole foods early in life to teach her good habits that will benefit her for life. Giving your toddler balanced nutrition and eliminati...

You can begin educating your child on healthy eati...

Children need healthy foods because their bodies require the nutrients to grow. A child who is given healthy foods will receive a lifetime bonus of a stronger mind and body. A child who is deprived of healthy foods or given too many unhealthy foods c...

Children need healthy foods because their bodies r...