As important as nutrition is for you, it is increasingly important for your child. Your child needs adequate nutrition to support healthy development of his body. This can be a difficult task for a parent because a child's nutritional preferences are often very varied. Finding a balance between what your child likes and what is necessary for his diet is the best way to approach meeting his nutritional needs.
Fruit
Eating fruit is important for your child due to the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants they contain. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that your child eat 1 to 1 1/2 cups of fruit each day. Help your child experiment with and identify fruits they like in order to provide them with a variety of options.
Vegetables
Vegetables are also an important part of your child's diet because of the vitamins, minerals and healthy carbohydrates they contain. Vegetables can be prepared in many forms so you may have to be creative to get your child to buy-in. It is advised for them to eat 1 to 2 cups each day to support a well balanced diet.
Whole Grains
Whole grains are an important part of your child's diet because they support a healthy digestive system by adding fiber to your child's diet. In addition, eating a diet that includes whole grains will help to reduce the risk of your child developing signs of cardiovascular disease as he ages. You should help your child to consume 3 to 6 oz. of whole grains each day.
Protein
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that your child eat protein every day. This includes a combination of meat, or animal-based proteins, and plant-based proteins such as beans or soy-based food products. Helping your child to eat between 2 and 5 oz. of protein will support a healthy diet.
Dairy
Dairy should also be eaten to provide your child with vital nutrients such as protein, vitamin D and calcium. Yogurt, cheese and milk are all healthy dairy sources. It is recommended that your child eat 2 to 3 cups of dairy foods each day.
Discretionary Foods
In addition to fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and dairy your child needs small concentrations of sugar and fat to remain healthy. Use discretion when feeding your child foods that contain these items and monitor his intake of treats and sweet beverages.
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