Nutrition
Children are healthier when they eat a balanced diet. Better nutrition also boosts social skills, learning readiness and analytical thinking, too. When children suffer from food instability or poor nutrition, it’s hard to focus on growth and learning.
How Nutrition Fuels Childhood Growth
Feeding children a variety of fruits, veggies and whole grains matters more than you might think. Click each vitamin or mineral to see how it impacts development and in what foods it can be found.
Select a Vitamin or Mineral
Benefits
- Strong Bones & Teeth
Sources
- Green Peas
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Almond Butter
- Fortified Orange Juice
Benefits
- Cognitive Growth
- Growth & Development
Sources
- Asparagus
- Citrus Fruits
- Broccoli
- Lentils
- Okra
- Seeds
- Nuts
Benefits
- Motor Development
- Healthy Red Blood Cells
Sources
- Tuna
- Eggs
- Tofu
- Dried Fruits
- Leafy Green Vegetables
Benefits
- Tissue & Bone Repair
- Healthy Skin & Eyes
Sources
- Carrots
- Spinach
- Cantaloupe
- Sweet Potato
- Bell Peppers
Benefits
- Teeth Formation
- Strong Teeth
Sources
- Salmon
- Egg Yolk
- Milk
- Fortified Orange Juice
- Sunlight
Better nutrition helps children avoid exess weight and lowers their risk of disease. But what, exactly, is a nutritious diet? According to the United States Department of Agriculture a healthy diet means:
- Making half of what is on your child’s plate whole fruits, and a variety of vegetables
- Choosing from a variety of proteins including lean meat, nuts, beans and eggs
- Make half of your grains whole grains
- Choosing foods and drinks with less saturated fat, sodium and added sugars
Easy-win Snack Swaps
| Cookies | Graham Crackers |
| Ice Cream | 100% Frozen Fruit Bars |
| Soft Drinks | Water |
| Potato Chips | Pretzels |
| Sweetened Yogurt | Plain Yogurt + Fruit |
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