Making Nutrition Easy for You and the Family

Date: 03/01/23

March is National Nutrition Month. Great nutrition for your family starts with well-balanced meals and snacks. Children feel better when they eat well.

Here are some nutrition tips to help you out at home:

• Serve meals and snacks at regular times and try not to offer food between these eating times. When children who eat throughout the day may not be hungry at mealtimes, when healthier foods are usually served. Regular meals and a couple of snacks during the day can help them get the nutrients they need.
• When it is mealtime, turn off the TV and mobile devices, and eat together at the table. This helps create a calm environment for eating.
• Snacks are a great way to add fruits and vegetables to your child's diet. Some good snack options include grapes and cheese, celery and peanut butter, or a banana sandwich on whole wheat bread.
• Meal prep is great for busy weeks. Choose one day each week to plan out your family’s dinners. A lot of people choose Sunday because it is right before the week starts. Cook as much food as you can ahead of time and portion out the food into serving sizes in small containers. You and your family can pop these meals in the microwave and eat them throughout the week. You can also chop and prep fruits and veggies to eat during the week.

Remember: It's normal for your child to like some foods and hate others. Don't worry. Given time, children adapt to new tastes and textures. It often happens at a very slow pace. Introducing your child to new foods slowly and without being forceful can help.

To learn more about healthy meals and nutrition for the whole family, visit https://www.eatright.org/national-nutrition-month.