You asked

How low or high in fat should my child's diet be?

When your child was a toddler, you didn’t have to worry too much about fat intake. However, after the age of two, you should be opting for low fat options, similar to your own diet, when it comes to deciding what your child should eat. Before this age, children need fat in their diets to promote brain development, but after the age of two, fat can become more harmful than good for children. Here are a few ways you can cut the fat without too much hassle.

Opt for grilled or steamed foods instead of fried. Swap fried chicken or fish for grilled, or opt for steamed or boiled foods instead.

Swap full fat diary products like yoghurt and cheese for lower fat alternatives.
Likewise, swap your child’s full cream milk for low fat or fat free.

Avoid fried or convenience foods. These are typically high in fat, refined carbohydrates and processed sugar – none of which is good for you or your child. Fast food once a week is okay – every day is not.

Try not to make some foods seem bad, and others good. You want your child to grow up with a healthy attitude to food.

Lastly, don’t cut out all fats. Some fats, like essential fatty acids, and others, found in foods like oily fish, eggs and even peanut butter, are required in a healthy diet. Rather limit the processed foods and foods with added oils, like fried foods, that your child eats.

More questions

Trying to feed a picky eater can make mealtimes even more stressful. While food fussiness is a typical phase that most chldren will through, it doesn’t make it any easier for mums to deal with. However...
Foods on this shelf are the best energy providers for your child's body, so the more active your child is the more he will need.
 
There are many nutrients found in whole-grains which are essential for your child’s health.
Check out these simple steps you can take to make sure that your child gets enough calcium.
Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese are some of the best sources of calcium, but it can also be found in less expected sources.
There is a difference between iron that is found in animal sources and plant sources of iron.
Iron is vital in order to ensure good health and development in your child. It is responsible for making haemoglobin, the pigment which carries oxygen to the blood and myoglobin, a pigment that stores oxygen in...
If your child rejects a lot of vegetables, there are lots of ways you can try slipping them into food. 
What exactly is cholesterol and is all cholesterol bad?
There are many factors to consider when deciding if a child is truly underweight

Latest

Trending