The following guidelines will help you give your child a nutritious diet:

• Offer five servings of fruits and vegetables a day
• Choose healthy sources of protein, such as lean meat, nuts and eggs
• Serve whole-grain breads and cereals because they are high in fiber
• Broil, grill or steam foods instead of frying them
• Limit fast food and junk food
• Offer water and milk instead of sugary fruit drinks and sodas

Learn about your children’s nutrient requirements. Some of them, such as the requirements for iron and calcium, change as your child ages.

For more information on this topic, please visit The Department of Health and Human Services.