What drives your food decisions for your children?
Based on a poll of 232 Abbott parents | Start Date: 17th July 2009 | End Date: 18 th August 2009
Dads and Mums want the very best for their children. And, this rings true especially when it comes to selecting food for kids. Parents know that nourishing foods must make up the foundation of their kids' diets.
Making food choices for kids today is not that easy. Kids are surrounded by many delicious foods in attractive packaging.
But, when asked, most parents tell us that the top reason that makes them select a food or drink for their kids is ‘nutrition’. Taste, surprisingly, comes in a far second. Cost and convenience are really not critical for parents who will spend a lot and work hard to prepare meals for their little ones. So here are some tips to help you make that wish a reality.
Top Tips To Pick Nutritious Choices For Your Kids
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Read Food Labels
Apart from fresh foods, most offerings in the supermarket come with food packaging. Food labels provide a lot of information that can help parents make good food decisions. Compare the ingredients and nutritional values of equal portions of similar foods and pick the one with more nutrients.
Nutrient-dense choices help make every mouth-full count for more value. Avoid foods that deliver a lot of calories but very little of the vital nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.
Scanning the shelves will help you also spot foods that deliver on their nutrient promise and are reasonably priced and easy to use.
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Plan The Menu
To get the optimal balance of nutrition, ensure your child’s diet includes food from each of the five food groups – grains (rice, bread, noodles), fruit, vegetables, meat (includes fish, poultry, eggs, and other protein-rich foods), milk and milk products. Kid-friendly portions of these foods will help you ensure an optimal balance of all the nutrients your child needs to grow and develop well.
Write down the menu that you would like your child to have. Leave clear messages for your child’s caregivers about what and how much you want served. Remember to check with them each day to have a good idea of what your little one actually ate.
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Prepare Healthier Foods
Serve up the healthier foods you have picked with a little creative zest. Keep 'added' fat, sugar and salt as low as possible, cook up tasty and attractive meals, snacks and beverages to make eating fun.
'If you're trying Abbott products for the first time, click here for a free sample.
For expert advice on paediatric nutrition, please contact Abbott Nutrition Careline at 6278-6220.
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