We know that our food choices play a big part in many diseases. It plays a huge role in atherosclerotic disease. For infants, breastfeeding has shown long-term heart benefits. These include lower cholesterol levels, lower BMI, and a decreased risk for type 2 diabetes. After two years of age, kids should eat healthy foods similar to what you’d eat. Limit bad fats and sugar, be high in fiber and nutrients, and incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables. We develop our tastes and our desires for foods and beverages very young. Teaching your kids at a young age to drink water all day will carry over as they grow. Some resources that we suggest for heart-healthy recipes include:
The American Heart Association.
The Dash Dietary Pattern.
MyPlate information for kids.
Child-1 Diet.
It’s also crucial to teach your kids how to read package labels. Help them understand what is healthy. Take them grocery shopping and tell them how you make heart-healthy food choices. The American Heart Association’s Heart-Check digital grocery list tool simplifies shopping for heart-healthy foods.