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Return to Nutrition: School-Age Overview
More on Nutrition: School-Age
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- Loughlin Named Pediatrics Chair at Weill Cornell
- New York City Opens One of the Largest Children's Hospitals in the Country
- When Your Child Visits the Hospital...Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital's Family Advisory Council Offers 10 Tips for Parents
Nutrition: School-Age
Helpful feeding information for your school-aged child:
School-aged children (ages 6 to 12) continue to need healthy foods and nutritious snacks. They have a consistent but slow rate of growth and usually eat four to five times a day (including snacks). Many food habits, likes, and dislikes are established during this time. Family, friends, and the media (especially TV) influence their food choices and eating habits. School-aged children are often willing to eat a wider variety of foods than their younger siblings. Eating healthy after-school snacks are important, as these snacks may contribute up to one-third of the total calorie intake for the day. School-aged children have developed more advanced feeding skills, are better at feeding skills, and are able to help with meal preparation.
The following are some helpful mealtime hints for school-aged children:
- Always serve breakfast, even if it has to be "on the run." Some ideas for a quick, healthy breakfast include the following:
- fruit
- milk
- bagel
- cheese toast
- cereal
- peanut butter sandwich
- Take advantage of big appetites after school by serving healthy snacks such as the following:
- fruit
- vegetables and dip
- yogurt
- sandwich
- cheese and crackers
- milk and cereal
- Set good examples for eating habits.
- Allow children to help with meal planning and preparation.
- Serve meals at the table, instead of in front of the television, to avoid distractions.
