According to the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion and Health Connect South Dakota, the right food choices can help your child be healthy, stay a good weight, and feel great. The MyPlate food guide can help. It is a visual reminder to create healthy, balanced meals for your children.
Each day, the food your child eats should include:
About ½ fruits and vegetables.
- Try fruits such as apples, bananas, mangos, and peaches.
- Try vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, celery, and leafy greens.
Whole grains.
- Grains are foods like cereal, bread, rice, and pasta.
- At least ½ of your child's grains should be whole grains. Try oatmeal, brown rice, whole-wheat bread, or corn tortillas.
Lean proteins.
• Protein foods include lean meat, chicken, turkey, eggs, seafood, beans, tofu and nuts.
Add in dairy, too.
- Dairy foods have calcium to build strong bones.
- Try fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese, soymilk, and cottage cheese.