ARTICLES RELATED TO:
Nutrition

We know eating fruits and veggies can provide tons of health benefits and are an important part of a balanced diet. But why is it so important to “eat the rainbow?” Fruits and veggies are dense in phytochemicals and micronutrients — vitamins and minerals — that our bodies need to function properly and grow, but not all fruits and vegetables are equal. Depending on the color, different nutrients may be more abundant in some fruits and veggies than in others. Let’s explore how eating the rainbow can provide our bodies with different nutrients and what they can do for us! What is a fruit – and what is a vegetable? Fruits are the parts of plants that contain seeds, such as apples, berries, oranges, and melons. Surprisingly, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and avocados are also fruits. They all have seeds and develop from flowers. Healthy fruits are naturally rich in vitamins, […]

If you’ve been following the conversation around plant-based diets for children, you may have noticed something significant happened in 2025. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics — one of the world’s largest and most respected organizations of nutrition professionals — updated their position on vegetarian and vegan diets, and the change has sparked considerable discussion in the plant-based community. What does this change actually mean for families raising plant-based kids? Has the science changed, or just the messaging? And most importantly, what should parents take away from this shift? Let’s break down what happened and explore what this means for your family’s plant-based journey. Why do people choose to follow plant-based diets? There are several reasons why someone may choose to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, including religious reasons, health reasons, preferences or tolerances, environmental reasons and sustainability, and animal rights. There are also health benefits associated with plant-based […]

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends kids ages 2–18 consume about six teaspoons of sugar per day. According to most sources, kids in America are consuming at least three times that amount. Added sugar — the kind that’s put in sweetened drinks, flavored yogurts, and even healthy low-fat packaged foods to make them taste better — is also upping kids’ consumption, and there are more than 60 terms for added sugar approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). One way many consumers try to lower their use of sugar, both regular and added, is to use artificial sweeteners (also called sugar substitutes). Regardless of intent, most Americans consume some form of an artificial sweeter daily. That’s because sugar substitutes are used in a variety of packaged products from pudding and candy to desserts and syrups. Reducing added sugar is a benefit of artificial sweeteners, but parents need […]

You are at your pediatrician’s office for a well-visit, and the doctor asks you to describe your toddler’s diet. You want to say they eat a variety of healthy foods, but in reality, your child refuses to look at anything green or remotely healthy and is hooked on pizza, chicken nuggets, and mac and cheese. Does this sound familiar? Don’t worry — you’re not alone, and we’re here to help! Let’s work together to find creative ways to get more fruits and vegetables into your picky eater. Better Tricks for Better Eating Habits You may have heard about ways to sneak healthy options into foods your child already likes, such as zucchini in muffins and blended broccoli into spaghetti sauce. While this is a great way to increase fruit and vegetable intake, there may be more long-term benefits in helping your child learn to want to eat these foods. To […]

Walking around the grocery store can be overwhelming with so many products lining the shelves. To add to the difficulty and confusion are Nutrition Facts food labels. What should we avoid? What should we look for in the products we buy and consume? Is the number of calories the only thing that matters? Are portion sizes misleading? What are the facts behind nutritional facts? Where to Start with Nutrition Labels There are four main components to a Nutrition Facts label: serving information, calories, nutrients, and percent daily value. Serving Size A serving size refers to the amount of food typically eaten at one time. The serving per container represents how many servings are in the respective package. This section of the label is meant to help you determine the right portion size for your family members, and it may require a little math. For example, one serving of this food […]

Spring and summer have always been favorite times of the year for many families. Temperatures start to warm up, and many people pack away their winter jackets for the season. The sun stays out later each day, giving everyone more time in the evenings to enjoy walks outside; and the fresh fruits and vegetables become more abundant than ever. During the spring and summer, trips to the farmers market are a favorite hobby for many families. Nothing beats the taste of locally grown produce, freshly picked and sold right from the growers. We asked a few registered dietitians here at Nemours Children’s Health to share tips they give with families looking to eat healthy during the warmer months. Here’s what they said. Snack Hacks Homemade Fruit Pops “Try homemade frozen fruit pops for a yummy, healthy and refreshing treat. Just mix together yogurt, berries and milk; pour into a popsicle […]