When it comes to child care, one of every parent’s priorities is their kid’s diet. Proper nutrition is essential to their growth and development. Although the amount of nutrients they need varies according to age, they must get these through nutrient-dense foods to be healthy. It’s best to start them young, so here’s a guide to help your kids eat right.

How Kids Can Have a Healthy Diet

1. Eat Plenty of Vegetables and Fruits

Encourage them to eat vegetables and fruits by serving them at every meal. The goal is to have them consume multiple servings for their daily dose of vitamins and minerals. One way to work veggies and fruits into their diet is by choosing colorful varieties and slicing them into fun shapes. When packing canned or dried fruits as snacks at a child care center, pick ones with low or no added sugar.

2. Go for Whole Grains

Your kid needs carbohydrates for energy when playing in a child care facility or school. Give them starchy foods like bread, pasta, and rice, but opt for whole grains or those with minimal processing. Brown rice, quinoa, oatmeal, and whole-wheat bread or pasta are better alternatives.

3. Offer a Variety of Protein

Protein is one of the essential macronutrients for your kids to grow. Beans, peas, nuts, seeds, fish, eggs, and poultry are excellent sources of healthy protein. Should you serve them meat, go for lean cuts instead of fatty. As much as possible, avoid giving them processed meat like bacon, sausages, and deli meats since these are high in salt and fat.

4. Choose Dairy

Dairy and alternatives, such as soy milk, are good sources of calcium, vitamin D, protein, and fat. Calcium is essential for the bones and teeth, while vitamin D helps absorb calcium. When choosing milk, yogurt, and cheese for your kids, opt for low- or non-fat and unsweetened alternatives.   

5. Limit Intake of Salt, Sugar, and Saturated Fats

While salt, sugar, and fat are unavoidable in the foods your kids eat, aim to reduce their intake through conscious choices. Check the nutrition labels to see how much added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat a product has.

Let the above tips help you plan a balanced meal to keep your child healthy. At A Rising Star Children’s Center, rest assured your kid is eating right. Located in Croton-on-Hudson, NY, this child care provider offers a full range of services, from early childhood learning to after-school programs, in their 3.5-acre facility. Call (914) 862-4283 or visit the website.