Kids Nutrition

Why Are Children Not Eating Enough Fruits and Vegetables?
Studies show that only 20% of children eat even half of the recommended amount of vegetables. This surprisingly low amount even includes french fries, which is the most commonly eaten "vegetable" in children 15 months and older.

Fruit consumption among children is almost as low, with only 30% eating at least half of the recommended quantity. » more

Tips for helping children eat more fruits and vegetables

It's Not "5 A Day" anymore: New USDA Guidelines for Children:
The US Department of Agriculture has increased the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables in the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Children are now advised to eat from four to eight ½ cup servings of fruits and vegetables daily, depending on their age and gender.
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Exercise and Childhood Obesity
According to the 2005 USDA Dietary Guidelines, children should be physically active for at least 60 minutes per day.

Research has shown that the more kids watch television, the more likely they will be overweight. » more

Tips for helping children become more active

What Are Children Drinking?
Soft drinks and sweetened fruit drinks have largely replaced more nutritious beverages such as water and low-fat milk in children’s diets over the past two decades. This switch to soft drinks has been greatly responsible for the rising rate of obesity in American children and teenagers and for the dramatic decreases in calcium intake due to the replacement of milk. » more

The USDA recommends that children drink 2-3 cups of low-fat milk daily. Once children’s milk needs have been met, water is the beverage of choice. Children from the age of 2 to 12 years should have about 4-8 cups of water per day. » more

Tips for helping children drink more water

Should Children Drink Juice?
Rather than offering fruit juice (even 100% fruit juice) to your children, encorage them to eat fruits in fruit form and drink water and low-fat milk instead.

The American Pediatric Association recommends limiting 100% fruit juice to 4-6 oz/day for 1-6 year olds and 8-12 oz/day for 7-18 year olds.