Articles > Preschoolers

Preschoolers & Healthy Eating

A part of the Parenting the Preschooler program

Tips for Feeding Preschoolers

Start with small portions and allow them to have more if still hungry.

Ask the child to pick out a vegetable they would like to try.

Model eating a variety of foods and enjoying mealtime.

Limit foods with little nutritional value such as soda, potato chips, or pre-packaged prepared snacks.

Use positive words and attention to reward children rather than candy or treats.

Make mealtime fun by cutting food with a cookie cutter or serving food in a funny serving dish.

Include healthy beverages such as water and low-fat milk.

Schedule meals and snacks, using healthy snacks to bridge the time between meals.

Serve foods on small size plates or bowls and use smaller eating utensils.

Why is a Balanced Diet Important?

A balanced diet is like filling your car with the right gas. We want to put the right fuel in children’s smaller stomachs. Offer variety and choices.

Help Children be Healthy Eaters

Children’s appetites vary daily. Do not panic if a child eats a little one day and a lot another day. Let the child decide how much to eat. Use MyPlate for preschoolers as a guide to the amount of food.

A family of four enjoys cooking together in a kitchen. The father slices bread, the mother and daughter smile while preparing vegetables, and the son watches. Veggies and a salad bowl are on the counter, creating a joyful and collaborative atmosphere.
A young girl in a pink top and headband is focused on eating a salad with a fork. A glass of milk is nearby, creating a calm, healthy scene.

Help Preschoolers Make Wise Food Choices

Encourage children to taste new foods, but do not bribe them to get them to eat certain foods, or insist they eat everything on their plate. This will lead to power struggles and make meals a battle ground instead of a relaxing, family time.

Children who help prepare foods are more willing to taste new foods. Make fun foods together like an English muffin pizza, frozen banana on a stick, or frozen graham cracker sandwiches.

It is best to stay calm and neutral when eating. As long as there is a variety of foods offered at scheduled times allow children to decide how much they want to eat.

Try new foods yourself as children often copy what adults do. Describe the food such as “This is a kiwi, which is sweet like a strawberry.” Or “This is a radish. It is hard and crunchy.”

View this article as PDF

You May Also Like

University of Wisconsin-Madison      |        Explore Extension: Agriculture Community Development Families & Finances Health Natural Resources Youth
Support Extension