A child should eat 3 snacks and 3 meals per day. Every day a child's body is consuming, storing, utilizing and excreting essential vitamins and minerals that atttribute to healthy growth. The key to good nutrition for children is to provide a wide variety of foods all in moderation.

With so many choices to pack in a brown bag lunch, serve as an after-school snack or for breakfast, we all know kids have an influence over what we choose for them. Toy Tips conducted a triple-taste test with kids to find out their best tasting choices from over 50 products However, there is a twist.

We also teamed up with Monica Holt, M.S.R.D. a pediatric dietician with Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford. Under her guidance, we looked at the nutrition in each of our top contenders of the taste-test to make sure they offer an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals and are not just empty calories.

Parents should be the final decision makers on what to serve their children for meals and snacks but allowing kids to be involved in
the shopping and teaching them that their choices should provide nutrition for their body to grow, they will learn that their opinion counts, strengthening character skill.

Below is a list of our findings of the final 15 choices that pass the kid-taste approval and also have nutritional value over similar products on the market.

Fresh Gear Start Kit (Infants) www.myfreshbaby.com

Learning to serve healthy natural foods as young as the age a child begins to eat them will introduce a variety of tastes and textures and also train you as the parent to prepare healthy food. This kit teaches you to pre-make all the food and then freeze cube sfored later use. Instructions and materials are included. Equally nutritious and cost effective, this is a fresh alternative to jarred foods without added preservatives. This makes a great baby shower gift!

Dannon Danimals Drinkable Yogurt (Toddler, preschoolers) www.dannon.com

This includes an added boost of Vitamin D for calcium absorption. Because it is drinkable, it can be taken on the go. Though, it needs refrigeration or to be put on ice so it does not spoil.

Stonyfield YO baby Yogurt Cups (infants over 8 months and toddlers) www.stonyfield.com

This organic yogurt has the fat that supports the concept of providing whole milk for babies and toddlers. 100% natural with no fillers, gelatin, food starches or preservatives.

Organica Cookies organica.com (preschoolers and school age kids) www.organicafoods.com

These cookies are lower in in fat and made of organic ingredients. These cookies are a nice option to those allergic to eggs.

Blackbird Fruit and Vegetable Crunchies (all ages except infants) www.blackbirdfood.com

These are freeze dried fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber and is a great alternative to high fat calorie chips and snack foods. There is no fat and kids reported these have an intense flavor. The favorite: raspberries!

Bush's Vegetarian Baked Beans (Toddlers, Preschoolers, School Age Kids and Teens)
www.bushbeans.com

The tomato based sauce has vitamin A and the beans are high in fiber. Great alternative to a rice or pasta dish.

Skippy Squeeze Sticks (Toddlers, Preschoolers and School Age Kids) www.peanutbutter.com

High in protein, Vitamin E and Niacin. Packaged in portable tubes that are easy to take on the go, these make a great lunch or snack option. Kids liked it best squeezed out on a banana. Offer your kids creative choices that taste good with peanut butter and reflect their individual tastes. Some may prefer to just eat the peanut butter alone.

Hunt's Squeeze-n-Go Portable Pudding (Toddlers, Preschoolers and School Age Kids)
www.squeezngo.com

Each serving is a great source of calcium. Designed as single serving tubes that do not need refrigeration, these can be packed into lunches or in a sports bag for after practice. Ideal as an after school snack or as a toddler snack. (Younger kids should use a spoon, older kids prefer to eat out of the tube!)

Gardenburger Crispy Nuggets (Toddlers, Preschoolers and School Age Kids)
www.gardenburger.com

Vegetarian entree for those children who may not prefer meat. This is packed full of protein. The kids liked it best with Ranch Dip.

Tiny Trapeze Marshmallows (Preschoolers and School Age Kids) www.tinytrapeze.com

Made of organic ingredients, a better choice than the commercial choices. Very tasty and a higher end product! Makes a great dessert when served with fruit.

Carnation Instant Breakfast (Best for Teens, but fine for all ages, except infants) www.CarnationInstantBreakfast.com

Excellent source of 21 vitamins and minerals designed as a meal replacement for on the go-teens that may not take the time to eat breakfast but have time to drink breakfast in the car on the way to school! By adding fruit, this will add fiber. Recipes are included on individual packets if 7 varieties. These can be used in smoothies, a fun and trendy drink popular amongst the school age kids and teens)

NUGO bars (Teens) www.nugonutrition.com

This is a high-fiber, soy-based bar that is low in fat. Available in 6 flavors, these bars have no trans-fatty acids or hydrogenated oils or cholesterol and make a nice after school snack. This is most appropriate for an active teen rather than a toddler, preschool or grade school child.

Zoe Bars (School age and teens) www.zoefoods.com

We suggest this as an addition to a meal or snack because it includes a great amount of fiber. However, there is not much protein or added vitamins and minerals to be a complete meal replacement bar or sports bar.

Protein Bakery Brownies (School age and teens) www.theproteinbakery.com

These brownies are made with a protein powder and can serve as a supplement if an adequate amount of protein was not eaten for the day. For a child who may not eat meat or soy, this may be a way to get them to eat some protein disguised as dessert.

Cream of Wheat (All ages) www.kraft.com

This classic wheat based hot breakfast cereal would not be around for 3 generations if it wasn't tasty and full of great nutrition. Available in individual servings packets and a variety of flavors, this is ideal as a breakfast cereal for everyone in the family. Fruit can be added for individual tastes and it is loaded with vitamins and minerals.

Serving size is the best way to monitor how much your child is eating. (Supersizing, second helpings, clean your plate rules and allowing a child to just eat whatever they want are all things to avoid) If a child is deprived of a food they like to eat, this may cause anxiety and lead to overeating when they can just to get more of it. If a child is served things they have refused in the past, serve in very small portions. Research shows that repeated exposure to foods may increase the chance a child may try it and maybe even eventually like it!

NOTE: Some of our choices are organic or made with organic ingredients. Be aware that organic foods are not more nutritious that those which are grown in the presence of chemicals. It is best to WASH all fruits and vegetables THOROUGHLY, even those that say they are pre-washed on the package.

SIDEBAR:

Below are a fews tips from Monica and the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford on choosing food choices for children.

Kids may choose water..lemonade...fruit waters....or milk as a refreshing beverage when a child is thirsty or with meals and snacks.  Mom’s job is to monitor serving sizes and variety of beverages chosen.  Children who prefer juice to other beverages are often satisfied with 1ž2 water 1ž2 juice dilutions. Drinking large amounts of calorically dense beverages may displace nutritious food in a child’s diet.

It is always important to be sure you child drinks enough milk for their growing bones

It is best to use the 80/20 rule: keep a snack drawer or area for EACH child. Some snacks are age appropriate and each child has their own likes and dislikes. By providing choices with 80% healthy snacks and 20% of other things they like. Explain the rules of snacking and this is what they are allowed. For fresh fruits and vegetables, it is wise to keep a family area in the refrigerator that can be an addition to the snack drawer. The earlier a child learns how to control snacking, the easier it will be for the child to discipline his/her own eating habits.

Remember to be a role model because your child watches how/what you eat.

For overweight children - skip the fad diets and apply the 80/20 rule.

CUT YOUR SERVING SIZES. or CHOOSE SMALLER SIZE serving PLATES. Over time, this will make a difference. Teaching portion control will prevent children from overeating and will teach them how to eat better. If you are concerned your child may be overweight, it is BEST to see a doctor.

For underweight children-go see the doctor, make rules about eating in the house, change behaviors, plate sizes and portion controls. Also, be sure to investigate if there may be any psychological problems.

For additional information, contact www.lpch.org.

Most importantly, send kids outside to play and make sure you are playing with them! Stop worrying about their weight and get them moving, jumping, running, swimming and dancing! Excercise is the best way to burn calories!