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SmartParents.org Tips, News & Resources for Parenting, Family Life & Online Safety |
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Pre-Teen NutritionPre-teen nutrition can be difficult to manage with picky eaters and demanding schedules that keep kids from getting everything they need in a balanced diet.But this stage won't last forever, and with some general guidelines, most parents can find enough flexibility in terms of food to maximize pre-teen nutrition. First, always try to avoid giving your pre-teen junk food. The empty calories won't nourish their bodies, and it will only set them up to repeat bad habits in the future. Keep candy, chips, and other such foods at a minimum in the house. Or better yet, don't buy them at all except for special occasions. Breakfast is key to pre-teen nutrition, since it gives them energy for the rest of the day, and helps them to stay focused in school. Even if it's a quick glass of milk and a healthy muffin, eating something in the morning is always better than nothing at all. Try to get your pre-teen to drink water - 8 glasses a day is best - and avoid sugary sodas and too much juice. Hydration is important, but too much sugar is a sure way to spoil a healthy diet. Pre-teen nutrition is also about vitamins like calcium for strong bones, and extra iron for girls. If you're child is a very picky eater, and you're afraid they aren't getting enough vitamins, try a multi-vitamin to fill in the gaps. If your pre-teen hates vegetables - like most do - try to substitute in more fruits, and get them to try new vegetables. Don't be discouraged if they won't eat them, but you can't tell what they'll like until you've tried! And finally, try to stick with whole grains instead of refined grains, like whole wheat bread and cereals, and brown rice instead of white rice. New advances in pre-teen nutrition have found that whole grains provide children and adults with healthy fiber to fill them up without weighing them down with sugar or additives. |
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