By: Emily Sullivan

 Teaching children healthy eating habits can set them on course for a healthy life.  Children grow rapidly everyday. Their bodies need a healthy diet to support healthy growth.  Healthy eating can stabilize the minds of children, sharpen their minds, and improve moods.

 The rate of childhood obesity has doubled in the past 30 years.  Obese children are at risk for many diseases, including diabetes and bone/joint problems.  They are often teased by peers in school.

 Getting the right nutrients are crucial to growing up healthy  Will sharpen minds of kids and help them focus better in school  Improves moods

 Certain foods and drinks can make kids more vulnerable to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.  A recent study found that people who drink 4 or more cups of soda or sweetened drinks a day had a much higher risk for depression.  Excessive amounts of caffeine can trigger anxiety in kids and teens.

 A diet high in processed foods can increase a child’s risk for anxiety and depression.  Examples of processed foods: fried food, sweet desserts, refined flour and cereals, & processed meats.

 Have regular family meals  Cook more meals at home  Get kids involved  Make a variety of healthy snacks available instead of empty calorie snacks  Limit portion sizes

 Offer a new food only when your child is hungry and rested  Present only one new food at a time  Make it fun: present the food as a game or cut the food into unusual shapes  Serve new foods with favorite foods to increase acceptance

 Eat the new food yourself; children love to imitate  Have your child help to prepare foods. Often they will be more willing to try something when they helped make it.  Limit beverages. Picky eaters often fill up on liquids instead.  Limit snacks to two per day

 Don’t ban sweets entirely  Give recipes a makeover  Avoid sugary drinks  Cut down on processed foods  Create your own popsicles and frozen treats

 Avoid processed, packaged, restaurant, and fast food  Opt for fresh or frozen vegetables  Cut back on salty snacks  Choose low-salt or reduced-sodium products

 Even adults can have trouble keeping up with the latest healthy-eating guidelines  Choose My Plate encourages kids to make easy changes toward healthy eating Choose My Plate

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