With the rising rates of obesity in children, it is important to teach them healthy eating habits at an early age. Eating healthy when they are young can help them form habits that they can carry into adulthood. Healthy meals and snacks for preschoolers should include a variety of foods with different tastes and textures.
Healthy Diet Guidelines
A healthy diet for preschoolers should include a variety of foods from each of the food groups. How much your preschooler needs depends on her calorie needs. Talk to your doctor about your preschooler's a daily needs. A balanced diet for preschoolers should include 4 to 5 servings of grains and breads, 1 1/2 cups of vegetables, 1 to 1 1/2 cups of fruit, 2 cups of milk and 3 to 4 oz. of meat. Offer your preschooler three meals and 2 snacks a day.
Healthy Breakfast
A healthy breakfast meal for preschoolers may include one whole wheat pancake stuffed with 1/2 cup of sliced bananas and served with 1/2 cup of milk. Or, you can try 1 cup of whole grain ready-to-eat cereal with 1/2 cup of milk and 1/2 cup of sliced strawberries.
Healthy Morning Snack
A healthy morning snack for your preschooler may include three graham cracker squares with 1/2 cup of apple slices. Or, you can try 1 cup of whole grain oat cereals with 1/2 cup of grapes cut in quarters.
Healthy Lunch
A healthy lunch idea may include 1/2 a sandwich, consisting of 1 slice of whole wheat bread with 1 1/2 to 2 oz. of lean turkey meat, served with 1/2 cup of carrot sticks and 1/2 cup of milk. Or, try 1/2 cup of whole wheat pasta mixed with 1 1/2 to 2 oz. of diced chicken and 1/2 cup of cooked broccoli florets with 1/2 cup of milk.
Healthy Afternoon Snack
An afternoon snack idea for your preschooler may include 1/2 cup of celery sticks with peanut butter and 1/2 cup of milk, or 1/2 cup of fruit yogurt with a 1/2 cup of sliced cucumbers.
Healthy Dinner
Dinner for your preschooler may include a beef stir fry with 1 1/2 to 2 oz. of beef and 1/2 cup of snow peas, stir fried in oil and low-sodium soy sauce, and served with 1/2 cup of cooked brown rice and 1/2 cup of milk. Another dinner meal may include pasta and meatballs with 1/2 cup of cooked whole wheat pasta topped with 1 1/2 to 2 oz. turkey meat ball and 1/4 cup of marinara sauce, and served with 1/2 cup of cooked green beans and 1/2 cup of milk.
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