Diet

• Monitor beverages.
  • If over 2 years old - skim or 1% milk.
  • Avoid sugared beverages like regular soda, regular Kool-Aid, over 4 oz. of juice per day, and sports drinks (ex: Gatorade).
  • Encourage non-sweet beverages like water or tea.
• Monitor size and number of servings per meal and snacks. Do not pressure your child to "clean his plate".
• Feed youngsters with 3 scheduled meals and 1-2 scheduled snacks without grazing in between.
• Avoid grazing (eating randomly throughout the day or between meals).
• Eat only in the kitchen or dining room with the television off.
• Do not snack while watching TV, videos or DVD's, or playing computer games.
• No food should be kept in bedrooms.
• Select low-calorie, low-density food options like fresh vegetables or fruits, fat-free pretzels, saltines, etc. for snacks.
• Do not purchase high fat, high sugar foods like potato chips, candy, cookies, cakes, and ice cream unless close monitoring is available. The child cannot eat them if you don't have them on hand.
• Do not use food as a reward.
• If you child is between 2-6 years old, he should drink 16-20 oz. of milk each day.
• Have parents and other caregivers act as role models.
• No TV, DVD or videos in the child's bedroom.
• Limit "fast food" to no more than one time per week.