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Nutritional tips for feeding even the pickiest tots
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(ARA) - Moms and dads know that young kids need a solid nutritional foundation to grow up healthy and strong. But for many little kids, stubborn eating habits can stand in the way of a healthy meal. It can be tempting to give in to a tantrum and let your child eat whatever he or she wants. But nutrition experts and pediatricians agree that the right balance of nutrients, including calcium, protein, and certain vitamins, is critical for a healthy future.
Inger Hustrulid, registered dietitian and founder of Foundations Family Nutrition, Inc., specializes in helping families give their children a tasty and nutritious start in life. Here are Inger's healthy tips:
* Set an example. You can't expect your kids to eat something you won't. Whether it's broccoli, fish, or yogurt, it's important for your children to see you enjoying nutritious, satisfying foods. Treat yourself, and your kids, to sweets in moderation, and exchange unhealthy desserts for a healthier option-such as a whole-fruit popsicle instead of cookies.
* Know your nutrients. Ninety percent of bone strength is developed during childhood and adolescence, so it's essential that young children get enough of calcium, protein and Vitamin D. To help them get some of the nutrients they need, choose a power-packed dairy snack like Dannon's new Dan-o-nino as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Dan-o-nino has a thick and creamy taste preschoolers will love. It is also an easily spoonable snack that they can eat by themselves while they develop their motor skills. Dan-o-nino is an excellent source of calcium, delivering ounce per ounce two times the amount of calcium of milk. It also contains 6 percent of the recommended daily value of Vitamin D per serving and is a good source of protein with three grams per serving - 19 percent of the recommended daily value.
* Start young. Encourage your kids to be active from an early age, and make it part of your daily routine. Take a family walk after dinner or enroll them in a youth sports program.
* Be creative. Your picky eater won't eat a healthy meal if it doesn't taste good. Homemade breaded and baked fish sticks taste better than frozen ones. Lightly bread the fish with rice cereal or corn flakes and then bake.
* Make it a family affair. Bring your kids to the grocery store to introduce them to healthy food choices. The produce aisle can be a good place to learn about shapes and colors. There are also plenty of ways young children can help in the kitchen. Have them wash fruits and vegetables, measure ingredients, or stir (cold) sauces and batters. For a fun, nutritious frozen dessert, add a popsicle stick through the foil lids of Dan-o-nino and put them in the freezer. The eating habits kids learn today will set the stage for a lifetime of healthy consumption. To learn more about making Dan-o-nino part of your child's diet, visit http://www.danonino.us.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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