We're treating adult diseases in children. Don't have high-fat snacks in the house, and don't eat fast food every night, Nicklas says. Moderation is key. Smart snacks include low-fat milk, graham crackers, apple slices or celery with peanut butter, and dried fruit. Also, high-fiber oatmeal, pasta, fruits and vegetables are essential.
Proximity is everything.
Parents tells us they've brought the good stuff into the house, that the kids will eat it if they want it. That's not enough. Most foods are an acquired taste, Baranowski says. There's a good amount of neophobia, fear of new foods, in the early years. If you provide a variety of foods at different times, and insist they take just one bite, you can overcome that.