Q&A: Nutrition Advice for Children 24 Months and Up
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As a parent, you know that nutrition is the cornerstone of your child's development in all areas – physical growth, language acquisition and more – but sometimes the answers are not always easy to find. That's why Juicy Juice has assembled a panel of experts to give you the inside scoop as well as tips and trends to help every step of the way. For more questions and answers, visit our Expert Advice page.
Q: My toddler often asks for chips and candy. How do I manage her junk-food cravings?
A: High-calorie foods filled with fat and sugar taste good to children-and, let's admit it, to adults as well-and there's an evolutionary reason for this. Our ancestors survived by scouring their environment for energy-dense foods. However, an overabundance of these choices in our lives has resulted in rising rates of obesity. After all, we don't have to trek across the savanna or through the forest to find them; all we have to do is drive to the supermarket and pop them into a shopping cart.
And there's your solution: Simply stop buying these items, and tell your daughter you don't have them in the house. If you do want to keep some around from time to time-to serve at parties, for example-store them out of sight in areas that aren't easily accessible to her. Junk food simply won't be available, and there's not much a two-year-old can do about that!
In its place, serve wholesome snacks, such as 100% juice, yogurt and fruit. If you're on the go-doing errands with your child, for example-you can offer foods that are easier to manage, such as whole-grain pretzels, arrowroot crackers, raisins or small chunks of cheese. Finally, it's important to model good eating habits yourself, so your children can learn from your example.
Q: Does my son need a vitamin-and-mineral supplement?
A: A quick check of the facts shows that there are more reasons than ever for parents to consider offering their kids a supplement. In the U.S., only approximately 6% of two-year-olds have diets that meet Food Guide Pyramid Standards-an astonishing statistic. In addition, about 25% of the vegetables consumed by American kids are in the form of French fries, and studies show that many of our youngsters take in far less than the recommended daily allowance, also called the RDA, of basic nutrients.
There are many supplements on the market, so choosing among them can be confusing. When picking one for your son, take a close look at the label. Make sure that the one you're purchasing has a range of the basic vitamins, including A, B6, B12, C, D, E and folate (which is a form of vitamin B), along with calcium, selenium and zinc.
Though supplements are certainly important, they aren't a substitute for a good daily diet. A well-balanced meal plan is still the optimum way for your toddler to consume the nutrients he needs.