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-meals for school nutrition breaks [PDF] | Huron Perth Public Health. Booklet with ideas, recipes and tips for packing food for the school day.

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

Health811 | Government of Ontario. 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 primary care provider.

NEDIC | National Eating Disorders Information Centre. Helpline for people living with an eating disorder or 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