Healthy Eating for a Happy, Long LifeFocusing on nutrient-dense foods helps kids get the nutrients they need while limiting overall calories

It is important for children to have a balanced, varied diet to make sure they get all the nutrients and energy their bodies need to grow, work properly, maintain a healthy weight, and feel good.

If children don’t get all the nutrients they need from their diet, then this could affect their development. For example, children need enough calcium for strong bones and enough vitamin A to support a healthy immunity. Children with unhealthy diets can also have an increased risk of some diseases in later life (for example, type 2 diabetes and heart disease).

Children who get more calories than they need, often as part of an unbalanced diet, may become overweight or obese, which puts them at risk of poor physical and mental health. This also makes them more likely to be obese as adults.

Balanced Diet: Ensuring children consume a variety of foods to get all essential nutrients. -Fruits and Vegetables**: Rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber

Whole Grains: Provide energy and essential nutrients

Proteins: Necessary for growth and development (e.g., lean meats, beans, dairy)

Healthy Fats: Important for brain development (e.g., avocados, nuts, olive oil)

Portion Control: Teaching children to eat appropriate portions to avoid overeating

Encouraging nutritious snacks like fruits, vegetables, and yogurt instead of sugary and processed foods

Promoting water consumption over sugary drinks

Reducing intake of sugary snacks and drinks, and processed foods high in salt