Raising a Healthy Preschooler

Helping your preschooler to eat well and be physically active are keys to lifelong health. Be a positive role model for your preschooler. Setting good examples of healthy eating and fitness is much more effective than instituting rules about food intake and exercise. As you plan daily activities with your preschooler, integrate these food and activity guidelines for optimal health.

Choose Healthy Foods for Your Preschooler

Simply pick foods for your preschooler because they provide good nutrient value for the calories. In other words, choose foods that are nutrient-dense. Foods that are fresh or less processed are generally the most nutrient-dense. Important food choices for preschoolers are fresh fruits, vegetables, milk and dairy products or dairy alternatives such as soy milk, and whole grains such as oatmeal, whole grain bread, and brown rice. Other nutrient-dense foods are nuts and seeds, beans, and lean meats such as chicken and fish. Keep soft drinks and sweet treats to special occasions only.

Help Your Preschooler Achieve a Healthy Weight

Healthy eating and physical activity should be family priorities. Reinforce your preschooler’s active approach to life with at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Take walks, walk to errands when possible, play at the park, dance to music. One way to determine if your preschooler has a healthy weight is to find out their Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is calculated using height and weight information and is known to be an indicator of body fat. Find out more about using BMI and healthy weight for preschoolers.

Know About Important Nutrients for Your Preschooler

Experts believe that children are at risk of not getting enough calcium, fiber, potassium, vitamin E, and magnesium in their diet. Learn more about Preschooler Nutrition Basics. 

Food Safety is Important for Your Preschooler

Wash hands often. Avoid unpasteurized milk and juices, raw eggs, raw or undercooked meat, poultry, fish and shellfish, and raw sprouts.

Use the Food Guide Pyramid to Plan Preschooler Diets

Healthy diet plans are available as a framework for the day’s foods. The Food Guide Pyramid is one example of a diet plan that can be used to meet the needs of preschoolers. Be familiar with how much from each food group is recommended to meet your preschooler’s nutrient needs.

Sources:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005, 6th Edition, Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, January 2005. www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines U.S. Department of Agriculture. www.MyPyramid.gov, 2005. 

by Kati Chevaux

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