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Promote Healthy Eating

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Promote Healthy Eating
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Surround your Kids with Healthy

Options at Home
Kids eat what is available and what they see adults eating. Surround your
kids with healthy options at home and demonstrate good nutrition to
encourage a lifetime of healthy eating. Healthy eating habits formed
during childhood lead to a healthy life.

Kids need di!erent amounts of foods at di!erent ages, genders and

activity levels. Proper nutrition is key.

Parents can teach their children good eating habits by being positive role
models in their own choices and by explaining to their children the
importance of a balanced diet and how to choose healthy options from
each food group. Learn about your child’s nutrition requirements.

Improve Your Family’s Nutrition Habits

Involve your Kids in Food Choices
Include your kids when planning the weekly family menu.
Look at your school’s website together to see what is being served,
and decide if you will make breakfast and lunch at home or buy it at
school.
 Shop for groceries together. Make a list before you go to the store
and only buy foods on the list. Once in the store, let your kids help
you !nd items on the list. Read food labels out loud and talk about
the choices you are making.
Invite your child to cook with you. They are more likely to try new
foods if they’ve helped to prepare them.
Hold family tastings. Buy di"erent brands of a healthy food (whole
grain pasta, for example) and let family members decide what they
like best.

Snack Healthy
Healthy snack ideas include:
Fruits (sliced or cubed, applesauce or dried fruit without added
sugar)
Vegetables and dips (try carrots and ranch dressing, celery sticks
and peanut butter, snap peas with hummus)
Whole grains (pitas, tortillas, rice cakes, popcorn, granola)
Low-fat dairy foods (yogurt)
Nuts and trail mix
Give your child a variety of healthy options, so there is no wrong
choice.

Reduce Sugar
O"er water, low-fat milk or 100% fruit juice instead of juice drinks,
sports drinks or soda.
Do not give sweets or candy as a reward. Try nonfood rewards or
family activities instead.

Watch Your Own Habits

Never skip meals, especially breakfast.
Avoid fast-food restaurants by planning meals and snacks in
advance, before leaving home.
Eat only when you are hungry. Teach (and show) healthy alternatives
to eating when bored, frustrated, anxious or sad. (Exercise, reading
and working on a project are good options.)
Enjoy family meals together whenever possible.
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 Learn more
USDA ChooseMyPlate.gov: Provides practical information to
help consumers build healthier diets with resources and tools for
dietary assessment, nutrition education, and other user-friendly
nutrition information.

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