Your Child's Health/Nutrition/Kids' Eating Habits

Children under the age of 2 need more calories per body weight than do older children. A significant source of calories in their diet is fat. One of the major sources of fat is milk; breast milk, formula or whole cow’s milk has 50 percent of its calories from fat. It is a recommendation that children under age 2 not be placed on low-fat milk. After the age of 2 years, parents need to know how to switch to lower fat foods. Here are some tips to do just that:

Keep fat intake to less than 30 percent of calories by switching to skim milk and other low-fat products.

Keep offering vegetables even if your child has previously refused them. Kids’ taste changes as they get older.

Retain authority over what foods are available at home and when and where you dine out.

Let children pick out or make a list of the fruits and vegetables they want.

Provide small containers of chopped up foods like carrots, grapes or apples for snacks.

Dr. Steinberg reminds parents that good nutrition is their responsibility, and the best way to encourage your children to eat a healthy diet is to set an example.

Back to Intro