This document provides dietary guidelines and recommendations for promoting healthy eating in young children. It recommends that children ages 2-5 consume 2 cups of fruit, 2 1/2 cups of vegetables, 6 ounces of grains, and 3 cups of milk and dairy per day. It also lists additional websites for healthy food choices and tips for encouraging children to eat more vegetables and fruits such as homemade smoothies, dips, and fruit popsicles. The document emphasizes the importance of role modeling healthy eating habits and limiting portion sizes to promote lifelong healthy eating.

1. DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR
YOUNG CHILDREN
 Fruits:2 cupsper day
o Pears, apples, berries,
oranges
 Veggies: 2 ½ cups per day
o Broccoli, corn,
cabbage, carrots
 Grains:6 ounces per day
o Crackers, wild rice,
oatmeal, spaghetti
 Milk & Diary: 3 cups per day
o Milk, cheese, yogurt,
ice cream
 Protein: 5 ½ ounces per day
o Beef, chicken, fish,
nuts and seeds
ADDITIONAL WEBSITES FOR
HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES
 www.choosemyplate.gov
 www.nutrition.gov
 www.kidshealth.org
 www.womenshealth.gov
 http://www.philadelphiau
jima.com
HEALTHY EATING
FOR BABIES &
TODDLERS

2. PROMOTING HEALTHY EATING IN YOUNG
CHILDREN
 Attempt tohave asmany family
mealsaspossible
 Cook mealsvs. Fast food
 Gettingkidsinvolved
 Provide a variety ofhealthy snacksas
an option
 Limit portionsizes
HEALTHY EATING FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS
Childrendevelopnaturalpreferencesforfoods theyenjoy;therefore, we must beginto make
healthychoicesmore appealing.It isextremelyimportantthat we asparentsact asa role
modelsfor healthy eating. By encouraginghealthyeatinghabitsnow,you canmake an
impact onyour children’slifelonghealth.
TIPS FOR ENCOURAGING CHILDREN TO
EAT VEGETABLES AND FRUITS
 Smoothie creations
 Dippers
 Homemade trailmix
 Frozenfruit popsicles
 Fruit Salad
HEALTHY SUBSTITUTES
 Grillednuggetsinsteadof Fried
Nuggets
 Milk(evenflavored) insteadof juice
 Veggie burgerinsteadof beefburger
 Bakedpotatoinsteadof Frenchfries
BENEFITS OFFEEDINGCHILDRENHEALTHY
FOODS
 Healthyfoods richin nutrients
promote healthydevelopment
 Preventionof long-termdiseases
such as,diabetes,heart disease,
obesity,etc.
 Healthyfoods prevent oral health
problemssuch as, toothdecayand
cavities
 Eatinghealthyfoodsas childrenlead
to healthiereatinghabitslater
 Limit portionsizesBREAST FEEDINGvs.FORMULA FEEDING
Benefitsof Breast Feeding
 Provides antibodiesthat fight
infections
 Easytodigest
 Cost (Breast milkisFREE)
 Provides different tastes
dependingon what mothereats
 Helps prevent obesity