Baby Care :: Meeting the Nutritional Needs of Young Children – Basic Nutrients
Children can get the nutrients they need if they eat a variety of foods every day from the five food groups, which include grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, and meat and beans. Fats, oils, and sweets supply mainly calories but little or no vitamins and minerals and should be used sparingly. No one food contains every nutrient. Children need to eat a variety of foods within each group. A child who favors bananas, for example, should be encouraged to eat apples, oranges, and other fruits as well.