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Agencies That Supply Information on Nutrition for Children

Nutrition information can be confusing, so turn to a reliable source to determine what the best nutrition information is for developing children. Agencies that supply information often supply resources like teaching and interactive materials so the material can be fun and appropriate for kids.

  1. USDA

    • The United States Department of Agriculture has a campaign titled "Eat Smart, Play Hard." With recipes, menus, and meal planning tips, ideas are not hard to come by for parents. Sections on portion control, shopping, and motivation support efforts to make better choices. Activity sheets and bookmarks suggest breakfast and snack ideas in a child-friendly format, Foods and meals chosen are all based on the "My Pyramid for Kids" graphic, another federal initiative by the USDA. The Revised and colorful "My Pyramid" demonstrates what ratio of foods kids should be eating with narrow stripes representing foods that should be eaten less and wider stripes for foods that should be eaten more often.

    American Heart Association

    • The American Heart Association works specifically to fight obesity and develop healthy eating habits. It address the problem by trying to provide the most needed recommendations, with suggestions that make it easier for kids to eat well. Low-budget healthy foods, tips for picky eaters and food-on the go-tips. It provides information on what a portion size really looks like so kids and parents are able to recognize exactly what a recommended amount of food looks like, instead over underestimating and overeating.

    FNS

    • Food and Nutrition services, a division of the USDA, implements the Woman, Infants and Children (WIC) program, which uses federal funds to provide nutrition education and nutritious food to women who are pregnant or have children under the age of 5. Though the program is only available to families considered low income, it can be a valuable resource for those who can use information about and financial assistance for feeding their children well.

    NIH

    • The National Institutes of Health uses the food guide pyramid to generalize to six quick suggestions, with links to related resources and a medical encyclopedia. Online lessons about reading nutrition panels, with categories for foods that are good for you, good in moderation, or should rarely be eaten are provided through the NIH's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Its basics about low-fat diets and weight control are simplified enough that even older children can absorb the information.

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