There's no great secret to healthy eating. To help your children and family develop healthy eating habits:
Provide plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole-grain products.
Include low-fat or non-fat milk or dairy products.
Choose lean meats, poultry, fish, lentils and beans for protein.
Serve reasonably-sized portions.
Encourage your family to drink lots of water.
Limit sugar-sweetened beverages.
Limit consumption of sugar and saturated fat.
One part of balancing calories is to eat foods that provide adequate nutrition and an appropriate number of calories. You can help children learn to be aware of what they eat by developing healthy eating habits, looking for ways to make favorite dishes healthier and reducing calorie-rich temptations.
Remember that the goal for overweight and obese children and teens is to reduce the rate of weight gain while allowing normal growth and development. Children and teens should not be placed on a weight-reduction diet without the consultation of a healthcare provider.