Keep meals from lasting too long. If your child gets fussy, let them be excused and take their plate to the sink.

Offer fresh fruit for dessert - not as a reward, rather as a great way to finish the meal.

How Much Should My Child Eat?

The exact amount of calories and servings your child needs will depend on his or her gender, age and how active they are each day. Children who are more active burn more calories, so they can eat more without gaining weight.

The USDA's food guide pyramid, also known as "mypyramid" is a simple outline showing how much food to eat from each of the food groups. A rainbow of colored, vertical stripes represents the five food groups plus fats and oils.

MyPryamid has food organized into five main groups:

Grains, Breads and Cereals group; provides fiber and B vitamins which help digestion and carbohydrates which provide energy

Meat, Beans and Nuts group; provides protein to help build muscles and a strong immune system

Vegetables group; provides Vitamin A which helps maintain healthy skin and good eyesight

Fruits group; provides vitamin C, vitamin A and fiber which helps to heal wounds as well as aid in digestion

Milk and Milk Products group; provides the majority of calcium for the development of strong bones and teeth

Make Healthy Snacks An Easy Choice:

Keep healthy snacks on hand for your child to eat between meals. A growing child can not get all the nutrients and calories from just three meals a day. Healthy snacks will also help your child eat the recommended minimum amount of at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. However, don't expect children to cut up their own fruits and vegetables! When children are hungry they don't want to wait. Prepare snacks in advance and have them easy to reach. Good snack choices are planned, small and well-balanced. They should contain small amounts of carbohydrates, protein and fat.