Tips for Healthy Eating Habits in Children
Fast food and snacks are everywhere, so getting your child to eat a healthy diet can be difficult. Our pediatrician can help. Dr. David Yip at Angel Pediatrics in Anthem, AZ, provides a wide range of medical services for children, including dietary and nutritional counseling.
What You Need To Know About Children’s Nutrition
It’s important to know how many calories your child should be consuming in a day. These are some general guidelines to follow, according to healthychildren.org:
- If your child is 2-3 years old, 1000 calories is recommended
- If your child is 4-8 years old, 1200-1400 calories is recommended
- For girls 9-13 years old, 1400-1600 calories is recommended
- For boys 9-13 years old, 1600-2000 calories is recommended
- For girls 14-18 years old, 1800 calories is recommended
- For boys 14-18 years old, 2000-2400 calories is recommended
Your child’s meals should include:
- Lean proteins, including fish, chicken and turkey
- Fruits, including whole fruits and not fruit juices
- Vegetables, including plenty of green leafy vegetables
- Whole grains, including rice, quinoa, and whole wheat
- Dairy products including milk, yogurt, and cheese
Now that you know what your child should eat, what are some easy ways to get your child to eat a healthy diet? It will help if you:
- Eat a healthy diet yourself because children do what their parents do
- Have regularly scheduled family meals, serving healthy foods
- Provide a wide variety of food choices to encourage your child to try out new foods
- Let your child invite a friend over for dinner
- Keep healthy snacks on hand including fruit, cheese, and nuts
- Get your child involved in meal options, so your child is interested in what to eat
- Have your child help you cook meals, so your child is invested in the meal making process
Want To Know More?
To find out more tips to promote healthy eating habits in children, talk with an expert–your pediatrician. Call Dr. Yip at Angel Pediatrics in Anthem, AZ, at (623) 551-0442. Call today.