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Feeding Children and Youth

Healthy eating is about more than just nutrition. It’s about helping children build a positive relationship with food. 

Children and youth learn about balance and variety by watching what is prepared for them and shared with them. Adequate nutrition helps keep our bodies running and feeling our best. Healthy eating is an overall eating pattern where all types of foods can fit. It starts with feeling good about eating:

  • learning to try new foods and eat the foods your family eats; 
  • knowing how to act at a meal and; 
  • developing the knowledge and skills to eventually feed yourself.

We are born with bodies that tell us how much we need to eat. We can support our children to maintain this skill. If we focus on helping our children and teens maintain a healthy relationship with food, nutrition often falls into place. 

  • Offer regular meals and snacks. 
  • Trust your child to know how much to eat.
  • Eat together as a family whenever possible. Let mealtime be about connection.
  • Give your children the opportunity to be exposed to a variety of nutritious foods regularly. Some children are more selective than others and will take longer to learn to eat a greater variety of foods. 
  • Help older children learn how to prepare meals and snacks.
  • Support teens to learn how to plan meals and snacks for themselves. Learn about what nutrients to add to help make a more balanced meal rather than focusing on what to take away.

Healthy eating for parents and children | Canada’s Food Guide
Tips for feeding growing children and teens.

Healthy eating for teens | Canada’s Food Guide
Tips for teens.

Eating too much or too little | Ellyn Satter Institute
It’s normal to worry about whether your child is eating enough and it’s normal for appetites to vary. Learn more about trusting your child to know how much they need to eat to support their growth.

Food guide kitchen | Government of Canada
Recipes and cooking tips from Canada’s Food Guide.

How to talk to teens about food | Ontario Dietitians in Public Health
Tips and strategies to help support your teen to have a positive relationship with food. 

Six by Sixteen | Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Help your kids learn how to cook at least six meals before they finish high school.

Mini-meal for school nutrition breaks [PDF] | Huron Perth Public Health
Booklet with ideas, recipes and tips for packing lunches with two nutrition breaks through the school day.

School lunch your kids will munch | Ontario Dietitians in Public Health
Simple tips for packing school lunches.

Health811 | Government of Ontario
Ontario residents can connect with a registered dietitian for free by calling 811 or starting a chat. You may also be able to access a registered dietitian through your family doctor or health clinic.

NEDIC | National Eating Disorders Information Centre 
Support chat and helpline to help if you or your child is struggling with food or weight preoccupation.

Contact Us

Huron Perth Public Health

Huron Office
77722B London Road, RR #5, Clinton, ON
N0M 1L0

Perth Office
653 West Gore St., Stratford ON N5A 1L4
Toll-free 1-888-221-2133
askhpph@hpph.ca

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