August 25, 2010 - Depending on whether your kids are in day care, high school, or anywhere in between, they need nutritious foods and healthy diets.  With back to school right around the corner, parents need nutritious food ideas for their child’s lunchbox or brown paper bag. Studies show that kids are not eating as healthfully as they should, so packing them a healthy, delicious lunch is important.

When it comes to childhood nutrition, parents are left confused.  So how can parents help support healthy growth and development while helping their children maintain a healthy weight? Dr. Cara Natterson, pediatrician and author of “Your Newborn: Head to Toe”, “Your Toddler: Head to Toe” and “Dangerous or Safe?” shares her tips for back to school nutrition. 

Why should you be so concerned about eating habits this early? Because poor eating habits are starting really early.  The Nestlé Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (NESTLE FITS, 2008) found that many toddlers and preschoolers are not getting enough of vitamins A, D, E, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, potassium, fiber, and total fat.  FITS 2002 found that many toddlers are not getting enough Omega 3 fat.  Important food groups to deliver these nutrients are dairy, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats/poultry, fish, beans, eggs and vegetable oils.  In addition, about 25% of toddlers and preschoolers are not consuming a single fruit or vegetable in a given day. 

Drinking milk and eating a variety of foods from the other food groups will help to address these gaps.  In addition, there are foods designed specifically to address toddler and preschooler nutrition needs such as Graduates® Smart Sips™ dairy beverages.  These products have essential Omega 3 fat (alpha linolenic acid) and provide 15 vitamins and minerals to provide key toddler and preschooler nutrients such as vitamin E, and iron, which many young children are lacking.   Another great feature is that SMART SIPS™ dairy beverages are specially prepared and packaged to require no refrigeration prior to opening, making them perfect for school lunches.

It’s common for elementary school kids to bring home “untouched” lunch boxes. It’s not that they aren’t hungry, but rather they’d prefer to play or chit chat during lunchtime. Parents can incorporate foods in their child’s lunchbox that are easy to grab and go and won’t lose their appeal if they sit in a locker for a few hours.  Bananas, if carefully packed and not mashed, provide potassium and are a great nutritious option; along with carrot and celery sticks, edamame and grapes.

When it comes to teenagers, parents’ strongest nutrition influence on their children’s diet is during breakfast and dinner. Make sure there are options available to grab as your teen runs out the door to get to school on time: a pre-made fruit smoothie, a bagel with peanut butter, or a hard-boiled egg and a slice of whole wheat toast in a baggy.  These options have staying power and may help them make better food choices throughout the day.

Kids begin to choose their own foods once they reach school age, and by their teen years they are choosing/packing/buying the majority of their meals. Parents can help their children make the right nutrition choices by setting a good example for them and making healthy choices for themselves. Kids will learn by example and imitate the healthy habits that parents make which can be the most powerful tool to making sure you kids are getting the right nutrition at every age.

For more nutrition and product information targeted to children from birth through preschool visit www.Gerber.com . The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) website www.healthychildren.org  is also a great resource that provides parents health and safety information relevant to infants, children, adolescents and young adults.