Variety of Foods

Do you think your child is only interested in a few foods? Your child’s food knowledge is essential to you. You are responsible for providing a wide variety of healthy food for your child. By offering different foods, you can help young children to get all the nutrients from the five food groups.

You can help children get all the nutrients from the five food groups by offering different foods. Also, they will be more willing to try out new foods and like more food. It’s easier to plan meals for the family when children have various tastes.

Many children would prefer to try new food. It’s normal for children to refuse foods they’ve never tried. Keep trying and be patient.

Tips on how to offer a variety of foods:

1. Get creative. Experiment with new recipes. Some ideas include red bell peppers and fresh pineapple. Greek yogurt can be used to replace canned salmon. Whole wheat pita with hummus is another option.
2. Let the child choose a new veggie. Add it to soups, salads, casseroles, or as a side dish.
3. Try a different ingredient in your salad or sandwich. Add tuna, mango, or snap peas to a green salad. Add thinly-sliced apples, avocados, or cucumbers to a salad.
4. Choose grains. Try different cereals, pasta, tortillas, rice, and quinoa.
5. Add fruits like blueberries, bananas, or peaches to your child’s cereal by topping it with cold or warm cereal. Purchase different types of fruit, including fresh, canned or dried, and frozen.
6. Could you make sure they are visible? Put the fruits and vegetables in a bowl or bag and place them on your fridge shelf with cheese cubes or string cheese.
7. Ingredients:

• • Use 1/4 cup of diced strawberries and gently rub them under cold water.
  • 1/4 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
  • Two chocolate Graham Cracker Squares

1. Directions:
   1. Hands should be washed with soap and warm water.
   2. Spread yogurt over graham crackers.
   3. Add chopped strawberries to the top. Enjoy!