Nutrition for the Young Child

Childhood is a time when proper nutrition is absolutely necessary for crucial growth. Nutrition is the act of nourishing or being nourished. Good nutrition is an essential part for your child’s healthy lifestyle! One leading cause of obesity in children is poor nutrition. Proper nutrition includes a variety of foods such as fresh fruits & vegetables, non-fat and low-fat dairy products and whole grain cereals and bread. Guidelines for food safety are important in order to store, prepare and serve food properly. Store perishable foods in the refrigerator or freezer and check the temperature of your refrigerator and freezer daily. Refrigerator temperatures should be kept at approximately 32 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, while freezer temperatures should be as low as 0ºF or less. All foods stored in the refrigerator or freezer should be covered or stored in airtight containers in order to avoid contamination. Wrap raw meat and poultry securely to prevent contamination to other foods. Foods that don’t require refrigeration needs to be stored in clean metal jars or glass or food grade plastic containers. Keep all food storage areas clean, dry and cool.

Food preparations are unique for each age group. It is important to implement the safest and most appropriate plan of care for each age group. Since preschoolers and toddlers still need assistance when taking in food, it is imperative to be extra cautious throughout the whole meal time. When preparing food, make sure to wash your hands, kitchen surfaces and utensils with hot soapy water before and after preparing each food item. Don’t use the same cutting board for fresh produce and raw meat, poultry or seafood. Be careful not to place cooked food on dishes that previously held raw meat, poultry, eggs or seafood. To ensure safely cooked food, use a food thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the cooked food. Food should be cooked at an approximate minimum internal temperature of between 145 and 165 degrees