(HealthDay News) — Once children reach the age of 4, they will need less fat than in the first years of life.
Experts say parents should monitor dietary fat to help children maintain a healthy weight and establish good eating habits early in life.
The American Academy of Pediatrics offers this advice on reducing fat in your preschooler’s diet:
- From age 1 to 2, children with a family history of heart disease, obesity or high cholesterol should drink 2 percent reduced-fat milk.
- All children should be switched to 1 percent low-fat milk after the second birthday.
- Serve your child lean meats, grilled fish or broiled fish.
- Limit the amount of cheese your child eats.
- Limit fruit juice to 4 oz. to 6 oz. per day of 100 percent fruit juice, and offer whole fruits as much as possible.
- Offer low-fat snacks such as fat-free yogurt, pretzels or fresh fruit.
- Prepare foods using lower-fat cooking methods such as broiling, roasting and steaming. Use small amounts of olive oil or nonstick cooking spray.