How Do You Identify Healthy & Unhealthy Foods For Kids?
Extensive marketing by the fast-food, snack and soda industries contributes to promoting unhealthy diets for children. Billions of advertising dollars are spent each year promoting foods that are high in sugar, fat, salt and chemicals. Companies market directly to children, making it more difficult for parents to enforce a healthy diet at home. Knowing what foods are good for children is essential to identifying a healthy diet for kids. Understand Food Labels. Food labels are designed for children ages four and over, and adults. Children under two have different restrictions and needs and you should work with your pediatrician to develop an appropriate diet for them. Generally speaking, kids four and over have diet needs similar to adults. Parents should choose foods that are high in fiber and low in fat, sugar and sodium. Be mindful of the serving size, as it is still possible to overeat on healthy food. Beware of bars. Many granola bars and breakfast bars tout themselves as healthy f
