Cheese slices, dried fruits, and fresh vegetables and fruits cut up and stored in the refrigerator are good choices. Snacks that contain few nutrients have calories that might crowd out more important foods and could lead to obesity. A young child who eats a reasonable variety of foods from the Daily Food Guide normally does not need vitamin and mineral supplements. Children who have eaten poorly balanced diets for a long time might require supplements to restore reserves. Contact you child's physician for advice on vitamins and supplements.
Children form attitudes about foods early.
Help your child learn to enjoy a variety of nutritious foods. Early learning experiences involving food will play a strong part in a child's ability to choose food wisely as the child grows older. Active preschoolers will have good appetites and eat more than less active children, who have smaller appetites and may seem to be picky eaters. Revised from Extension Information Sheet 1194 by Eleanor B. Coats, R.D., former Extension Food and Nutrition Specialist. Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.