eating + nutrition

Start smart! Bad habits are hard to break - instill good habits from a young age with these key nutrition tips in mind:

Naturally Nutritious

  • Did you know that pesticide levels in children who eat a diet of conventionally produced food are six times higher than those who eat a diet of organic food?1
  • Eat organic! Organic fruit has up to 58% more antioxidants than non-organic fruit. Antioxidants can help prevent heart disease and cancer!2
  • Try to eat poultry and meats free of hormones and antibiotics. Children who eat a hormone-free and antibiotic-free diet have stronger immune systems and fewer allergies.3
  • Cut back on the junk! Kids bodies need all the help they can get to grow into healthy adults. Limit your child's processed food intake.

Feast on Fiber!

  • Brown is better. Eat more whole grains. Simply switch from white flour and rice products to whole grain crackers, pasta, bread, and brown rice.

Gobble Your Greens

  • Did you know that 25-30% of children aged 9 to 24 months do not eat ANY fruits and vegetables in a day? 50% of all children 2 to 18 years old eat less than one serving daily!4
  • Did you know that children who eat a balanced diet perform better in school? They have the necessary fuel to feed their minds and bodies.
  • The USDA recommends eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables everyday to provide the body with the necessary nutrients. Encourage children to eat as many colored foods as possible each day the most colorful foods tend to be fruits and vegetables. Turn this into a game and ask, "How many colors can you eat today?" Learn more by visiting http://www.mypyramid.gov/kids/index.html.
  • Glance at a Food Guide Pyramid before dinner to confirm that all food groups have been included in the days' diet.
  • Discuss which food groups are represented when you share a family meal together.

Exercise!

  • Physically fit children generally have better memory, concentration, and energy levels and are more inclined to carry their physical and emotional health into adulthood.

P.S. What's good for children is often good for parents too!


Sources: 12003 University of Washington study 22003 study at the University of California at Davis 32006 Kiwi Magazine 4Gerber

Eating Tips

Familiarity with food alleviates fear, makes kids comfortable with what is in front of them, and makes them more likely to eat the food. Food provides a creative and educational gateway to hours of fun!

  • Encourage children to try new and different foods. It often takes more than 10 attempts for children to realize they like a new food. They won't know if they like a food until they try it!
  • Children are more likely to eat foods that they help select. Give them a choice and involve them in the decision.
  • Play and learn with food participate in cooking classes. Children are exposed to a greater variety of new foods and, in turn, they eat them.
  • Engage children in their food by introducing interesting information about where it's grown, what body part each nutrient benefits, or simply how many colors are in a dish.

Check out our fun food games for more tips on healthy fun with your child and food.