For parents of infants breast feed whenever and where ever possible

Children and adolescents need sufficient nutritious foods to grow and develop normally.

Growth should be checked regularly for young children Physical activity is important for all children and adolescents

Include lean meat, fish, poultry and/or alternatives

Include milks, yogurts, cheese and/or alternatives

Choose water as a drink

Choose foods with a balance of salt. Too little salt can also cause cause cramps and too much like what is in our processed foods is recipe for obesity and other issues.

Limit saturated fat and moderate total fat intake.Low-fat diets are not suitable for infants.

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The school bag is packed. Your child can pronounce his teacher's name and even remembers to preface it with Mr or Mrs or whatever the proper title is. And the lunchbox for snacks? Well, it's time to get working on that. Here's how.

There is a lot of pressure in packing a snack. It's not a lunch, which would require more food and thought. But it's not a fly as you go in the car thing either. Snack time in preschool is a sit down affair. Prep your child for independent eating and get packing.

Drinks
First off, if your child has never had a juice box, erase any fantasies you might have of packing one for snack time. That's just not fair to your child or their teacher.

Now, what should go into your sippy cup or in that juice box? Your best bet is water. Second best is 100 percent juices. And if it's a particularly hot day, a sports drink. Click here to continue reading this article

Cut Down on Salt and Sodium!

National Institutes of Health National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and Office of Research on Minority Health

Eating less salt and sodium helps you prevent or lower high blood pressure.

"I want to keep my blood pressure under control, so I cutback on salt and sodium. I took my salt shaker off the table and use less salt in my cooking. My doctor said to eat fewer regular canned soups and lunch meats because they have too much sodium and salt. After making my own home made soups again, my family won't even eat canned soups. Too salty--and not as good as mine!"

Sodium is a part of salt. It also is a part of mixtures used to flavor and preserve foods. You can make a few simple changes to help you and your family eat less salt and sodium.

When you shop:* Buy fruits and vegetables for snacks instead of chips and salty crackers.* Read food labels. Buy foods that say "reduced sodium," "low in sodium," "sodium free," or "no salt added."* Choose fewer regular canned and processed foods like sausage, bologna, pepperoni, salami, ham, canned or dried soups, pickles, and olives.

When you cook:* Each day cut back a little on the amount of salt you add to foods. You will soon get used to eating less salt.* Use spices instead of salt. Season your food with herbs and spices such as pepper, cumin, mint, or cilantro.* Use garlic powder and onion powder instead of garlic salt and onion salt.* Use less bouillon cubes, soy sauce, and ketchup.

When you are at the table:* Take the salt shaker off the table. Try these spices instead of salt to season food. For beef... try bay leaf, garlic, marjoram, basil, pepper, thyme, cilantro. For chicken... try marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage, tarragon. For fish... try curry powder, dill, parsley. You will be amazed at how good your food will taste! Choose two or three things you will do to eat less salt and sodium.* Make homemade soups with less salt.* Check food labels when you shop. Buy foods marked "low sodium," "reduced sodium," "sodium free," or "no salt added." * Season your foods with spices instead of seasoned salt and bouillon cubes.* Take the salt shaker off your table.* Eat fruits like mango and orange without adding any salt.

Eat less salt and sodium! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service National Institutes of Health National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute NIH Publication No. 96-4042 September 1996 .