Good nutrition is critical to the development of the total child. In addition, making good decisions about what to eat can make all the difference in your child’s day. Make sure you include a nice selection of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean protein foods in your daily diet. These foods contain the nutrients we all need without excess calories.

Consider incorporating health choices into your family’s daily dining choices:

• Eat breakfast. No engine (including your body) can run without fuel.
• Make half of your dinner plate fruits and vegetables that are red, orange, and dark green;
  • A good rule of thumb is to eat 5 or more colors a day.
• Choose 100% whole-grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice and pasta.
• Switch to skim or 1% milk, or even calcium-fortified soy products.
• Vary your protein food choice. Fish and beans are good sources of protein.
• Keep meat and poultry portions small and lean.
• Cut back on foods high in solid fats, added sugars, and salt;
• That means fewer cakes, cookies, ice cream, candies, sweetened drinks, pizza, and fatty meats like ribs, sausages, bacon and hot dogs.
• Drink lots of water instead of sodas and other sugary drinks. Water is the best fluid you can drink and it has no calories and no caffeine.

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