Kids' Nutrition Facts

Paying attention your kid's nutrition will promote overall good health, and teaching your children about nutrition now will help them become healthy adults later. Proper nutrition is an important factor in preventing many health problems such as obesity, weak bones and diabetes. Giving your child the nutrition he needs will allow him to grow to his best potential.

Daily Diet

Getting the appropriate amount of foods is an important factor in proper nutrition for your kids. Kids should get about 1,300 calories for under age three, 1,600 for kids three to six, and 2,000 calories a day for kids seven and older. These calories should come from two to three servings of dairy, two to three servings of protein, three to five servings of vegetables, two to four servings of fruit and six to 11 servings of starch every day. Fats, sugars and oils should be used sparingly.

Servings

One serving means the amount that the average person will eat at one time. If your kid eats more than one serving, you will need to adjust the calories and nutrient values accordingly. Most products will have nutritional information on the label. Keep in mind that portion sizes for younger children are often less than normal serving sizes.

Vitamins

If your kids consume the appropriate amount of foods according to the food pyramid, they should be getting all of the vitamins that they need. However, some children are picky eaters or may not be getting the vitamins and minerals that they need due to other reasons. In these cases, a multivitamin should be given to promote good nutrition for your kids. Multivitamins can be prescribed by your pediatrician or purchased at drug stores or supermarkets.

Healthy Snacks

Many children today are not being exposed to healthier snack options. Healthy snacks are a critical part of your kid's nutrition. Some healthy snack options include applesauce, cereal, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, unsweetened dried fruit such as raisins, or health bars designed to promote good nutrition for kids.

Food Safety

Food should be carefully cared for to ensure proper nutrition and to prevent your kids from becoming ill. Always wash your hands before preparing food, and have them wash their hands prior to eating. Do not feed your kids meat that is not fully cooked or poultry that has not been properly refrigerated. Fruits and vegetables should be washed, and never serve your child leftovers that have sat at room temperature for more than two hours.

Resources

• Kids and Nutrition