16/09/2017
What is healthy food for kids?
Healthy food for school-age children includes a wide variety of fresh foods from the five food groups:
vegetables
fruit
grain foods – bread, pasta, breakfast cereals, rice, corn and so on
reduced-fat dairy – milk, cheese, yoghurt and so on
protein – meat, fish, chicken, eggs, beans, lentils, chickpeas, nuts, tofu and so on.
Each food group has different nutrients, which your child’s body needs to grow and work properly. That’s why we need to eat a range of foods from across all five food groups.
The healthy food groups
Fruit and vegetables
Fruit and vegies give your child energy, vitamins, anti-oxidants, fibre and water. They help protect your child’s body against all kinds of diseases.
If your child seems to be ‘fussy’ about eating fruit and vegies, it doesn’t mean he’ll never like them. Did you know that if your child sees you eating a wide range of vegetables and fruit, he’s more likely to try them too?
Grain foods
Grain foods include breakfast cereals, breads, rice, pasta, corn and more. These foods give your child the energy she needs to grow, develop and learn.
Grain foods with a low glycaemic index, like wholegrain pasta and breads, will give your child longer-lasting energy and keep him feeling fuller for longer.
Reduced-fat dairy products
Milk, cheese and yoghurt are high in protein and calcium, which helps to build strong bones and teeth. Try to offer your child different kinds of dairy each day – for example, drinks of milk, cheese slices, bowls of yoghurt and so on.
Children aged over two years can have reduced-fat dairy products, unless a doctor or dietitian tells you otherwise.
Protein
Protein is important for your child’s growth and muscle development. Foods with lots of protein include meat, fish, chicken eggs, beans, lentils, chickpeas, tofu and nuts. These foods also contain other useful vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids.
Iron and omega-3 fatty acids, from red meat and oily fish, are particularly important for your child’s brain development and learning.