Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

There are days when your child may eat the same food three days in a row, then refuse to touch that food the next day. He or she might not be hungry for dinner, but might cry for cookies and candies. Keeping your child healthy can be a real challenge. Knowing a few feeding tips can be useful for healthy growth and development of your child.

Offer a variety of fruits and vegetables at every meal. When you go grocery shopping, pick a food group and let your child hunt down one new food they have never tried before. This will keep your child busy and might prevent asking for junk foods. Involve the whole family in healthy eating. Serve milk with meals so that your child gets enough calcium and other important vitamins and minerals. Bake, broil, roast or grill meats instead of frying. Serve only water when your child is thirsty instead of drinks high in sugar like sodas. Offer 100% juice to your child and limit the amount he or she drinks to 6 ounces (3/4 cup) a day because drinking more juice will add excess calories.

Support participation in games, sports and other physical activities in recreational and community leagues. Be active as a family. Go on walks and bike rides, and swim or hike together. Limit TV time. Watching TV while eating reduces the attention to feelings of fullness and it is easier to over eat.

Adults are role models. Set a good example by eating healthy foods yourself!

For further information contact the Genesee County Health Department at 810-257-3612 or visit us on the web at www.gchd.us.