Читать книгу Lifespan Development - Tara L. Kuther - Страница 349

1 Were you a picky eater? Do you know a child with picky eating habits? What factors do you think influence picky eating, in general?

2 What would you tell a parent of a preschooler with picky eating habits?

Young children require a healthy diet, which can be accompanied by an occasional junk food splurge.

Israel images / Alamy Stock Photo

Young children require a healthy diet, with the same foods that adults need. Most children in developed nations eat enough, and often excessive, calories, but their diets are often insufficient in vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin D, calcium, and potassium (Hess & Slavin, 2014). In one study of 96 child care centers, 90% served high-sugar or high-salt food or did not serve whole grains in a day’s meals (Benjamin Neelon, Vaughn, Ball, McWilliams, & Ward, 2012). Replacement of current snack choices with nutrient-dense foods could lower the risk of nutrient deficiencies and help lower excess nutrient consumption. Increased consumption of low-sugar dairy foods, such as yogurt, could increase intake of important micronutrients without contributing to dietary excesses.