Saving dessert for later, in lieu of a separate evening snack, eliminates calories from the added snack. Limiting snacks usually is non-productive a hungry child is likely to try to sneak food later. Peters advises parents worried about their children s weight to focus on healthy food choices an apple and one cookie, rather than a plateful of cookies, for example. Because children are small, they have a greater percentage of exposed skin that means they can dehydrate easily, before they may even realize they are thirsty. Children need water for rehydration and milk for building strong bones and teeth.
Whole milk is recommended for children age two and under.
After children reach age two, Peters advises parents gradually introduce reduced-fat milk products so that a child will enjoy skim milk by the time they start school. Fruit juices also can be a good choice for children. Parents are, however, advised to read labels and look for 100 percent fruit juice rather than fruit-flavored juices. For teens who are exercising heavily for extended periods of time, sports drinks can supplement water to replenish body fluids, Peters said. Limiting the availability of pop around the house will encourage children to drink needed fluids when they are thirsty, she said.