How to Provide a Healthy Diet for Kids
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Consult a physician.doctor and patient 9 image by Paul Moore from Fotolia.com
Consult a pediatrician or a pediatric dietitian before making significant changes to your child's diet. According to the Pediatric Dietitian Practice Group of the American Dietetic Association, pediatric dietitians are available to help parents of children with special needs including eating disorders, gastrointestinal conditions, food allergies and diabetes.
Keep a food diary for two to four weeks prior to your child's appointment. This activity will enable your health care provider to properly assess your child's diet and look for areas to improve. To increase his awareness of the foods he consumes, encourage your child to participate in the creation of his food diary. - 2
Add fruit and vegetables to each meal.Healthy start to the day image by Paul Hill from Fotolia.com
Learn the nutrition requirements for your child, and incorporate those requirements into her diet. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service, typically, children should consume 6 oz. of grains, 2 1/2 cups of vegetables, 1 1/2 cups of fruit, 2 to 3 cups of calcium-rich foods, and 5 oz. of lean meat or beans every day. Be aware of portion sizes as you feed your child. - 3
Shop with a list.shopping-basket filled with fruit image by Ivonne Wierink from Fotolia.com
Create a shopping list before you shop for your groceries. There are thousands of food items inside your grocery store. Marketing executives work to create appealing packaging, foster brand recognition and develop enticing promotions. However, the food in the fanciest package is not necessarily the healthiest choice. Shopping with a list helps prevent unhealthy impulse buys. - 4
Cook with your child.learning cooking image by Julia Britvich from Fotolia.com
Involve your child in meal planning and preparation. Cooking provides an avenue to spend time with your child while accomplishing a daily task. Furthermore, cooking offers learning opportunities beyond health and nutrition. Children practice reading, math and logic skills when following a recipe, according to "Family Fun Magazine." Involving your child in these processes empowers him to learn healthy eating habits and make nutrition-based choices.
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