Return to Advice

Eat Right From The Start

 By: Dr. Sanjay Shah, M.D.  
 

When parents of a young infant come to the pediatrician’s office, they are very concerned about whether their young one is eating right or not.  These concerns vanish as the child grows older.  Hardly any parents ask about nutrition after 2-3 years of age. The fact is that healthy eating habits are the foundation for a healthy adult life.  Many dreaded and killer diseases like obesity, osteoporosis and heart disease have their beginnings in early life.  A three-year-old who is overweight is already having changes in his heart blood vessels that can lead to heart attacks in the future.  A twenty-year-old with low calcium in her bones is destined to suffer from early osteoporosis. Parents now a days are overworked, busy and on the go.  A lot of meals are eaten as fast foods or from vending machines.  Schools have vending machines in their hallways. It is easier for a child to carry around a bag of chips and a sippy cup than to sit at the table and eat.  These children are chubby or even overweight but not healthy. Parents should try to promote following healthy eating habits from very early in life.
 

  • At least once a day the whole family should eat at the dinner table with designated
    • meal time without the interruption of television.  
     
  • When toddlers reject fruits or vegetables, continue to offer fruits and vegetables in
    • good variety and multiple times.  
     
  • Do not allow toddlers to carry their sippy cup around.  This leads to too much
    • juice consumption.  Offer at least 24 oz. of milk or its equivalent (yogurt, cheese singles) a day.  Juices should not be more than 6 oz. per day.  
     
  • Avoid sodas, sports drinks, fruit drinks, Kool-Aid, etc.  They are considered food
    • too.  
     
  • Model good eating habits.  Avoid eating out, drinking soft drinks and snacking in
    • front of the T.V. yourself.  
     
  • Offer a variety of foods, following the food pyramid; a good amount of starch and
    • carbohydrates, a moderation of protein, meat and dairy products, limit fatty foods and five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.  
     
  • Kids who eat a good breakfast are more attentive, less disruptive and in a better
    • mood than those who do not.  
     
  • Promoting physical activity complements eating well.
    •  

    In short, eating right is the key to healthy living.  More information about nutrition is available on the American Academy of Pediatrics website at www.aap.org