Almost all fruit and vegetables are great for adding nutrients to your child’s diet. When buying fruit and vegetables, focus on those without added sugars. Fruit juices and canned versions often contain added sugar. Always read nutrition labels when you go grocery shopping.

Vegetables are harder to get your child to eat, and many canned and frozen varieties have high sodium levels. Try to choose different colors of vegetables to represent different nutrients.

Avoiding trans and saturated fats

Aim to limit your child’s total intake of fats and oils. This includes mayonnaise, salad dressings, sauces, and homemade low-fat products. Choose products that are low in sodium, such as nonhydrogenated peanut butter. When choosing breads, pastas, and other grains, choose whole grains, as they tend to have less sodium. Also, limit your child’s intake of high-fat dairy products, which may include nitrates.

Plant oils are another source of fat in a … Read more