Nutrition for Preschool Parents

Preschoolers have the same basic nutrition needs that you do, but it's sometimes hard to convince your child to eat healthy. Getting your preschooler involved in making snack and meal choices helps her learn healthy eating habits while giving her a growing sense of independence. Instead of eating whatever you're eating for lunch, you must plan ahead for snacks and lunch so your child can eat healthy even when she's away at preschool.

  1. Calories

    • You don't have to count every calorie that goes into your preschooler's mouth, but you should have a basic awareness of about how much he eats every day. MayoClinic.com recommends preschool girls eat between 1,200 and 1,800 calories per day and boys eat 1,200 to 2,000 calories, depending on how quickly they are growing and how much activity they perform during they day. These calories should come mostly from lean meat proteins, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, fruits and vegetables. While you shouldn't deny your child small high-calorie treats such as ice cream occasionally, keeping his daily diet healthy helps him develop better food habits as he grows.

    Breakfast

    • Starting off the day with a nutritious breakfast helps your preschooler stay focused during school hours. Make sure she gets protein and grains, as well as a serving of dairy and fruit. For example, fortified cereal with berries and milk or low-fat cheese toast and 4 to 6 ounces of orange juice gives your preschooler the fuel she needs to start the day.

    Snacks

    • Many preschools ask you to pack daily snacks for your child, and it's easy to send healthy options. Get your preschooler involved in picking the snack for the day -- just give him a couple of options to pick from, such as carrot sticks with low-fat ranch dip or a low-fat granola bar, recommends the HealthyChildren.org website.

    Lunch

    • Packing her lunch means thinking ahead and having healthy and quick options available. Sandwiches on whole-wheat bread, such as one with mustard, deli-sliced meat, low-fat cheese and spinach, make tasty and easy options. Toss an apple or banana in the lunch box as well as boxed, low-fat milk that doesn't need refrigeration. For dessert, try a small, low-fat oatmeal raisin cookie or low-sugar yogurt. Try to work all the food groups into her lunch box, and remind her not to share her food because some children in her class might have food allergies.

    Dinner

    • At dinner, your preschooler should eat about 2 ounces of lean meat along with 1/2 cup of vegetables, particularly green or dark yellow vegetables. Add whole grains such as pasta or brown rice and another small glass of low-fat milk. Try to avoid sugary desserts in the evenings when your preschooler doesn't have time to burn off all the calories -- or the energy boost he gets from the sugar.

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