WASHINGTON, DC — The USDA’s new dietary guidelines call for toddlers to eat a low-fat, low-salt, sugar-free diet. They also say babies should only drink breast milk or formula for the first six months of life. Cereal, baby food, or any type of solid nutrition or fruit juices are not recommended.
The agency also says sweets are off-limits for toddlers. Kids should not have anything with added sugar before they’re two years old. When you do start feeding the baby, the USDA says you should introduce potentially allergy-inducing foods like peanuts to kids early. Parents should also give kids a variety of foods to encourage them not to be picky.
It’s also suggested it’s never too early to start a low-fat, low-sugar, low-salt died.
The USDA suggests:
Added sugars—Less than 10 percent of calories per day starting at age 2. Avoid foods and beverages with
added sugars for those younger than age 2.
• Saturated fat—Less than 10 percent of calories per day starting at age 2.
• Sodium—Less than 2,300 milligrams per day—and even less for children younger than age 14.
Here’s What To Eat
So what should you eat. The USDA says:
The core elements that make up a healthy dietary pattern include:
• Vegetables of all types—dark green; red and orange; beans, peas, and lentils; starchy; and
other vegetables
• Fruits, especially whole fruit
• Grains, at least half of which are whole grain
• Dairy, including fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese, and/or lactose-free versions and fortified
soy beverages and yogurt as alternatives
• Protein foods, including lean meats, poultry, and eggs; seafood; beans, peas, and lentils; and nuts,
seeds, and soy products
• Oils, including vegetable oils and oils in food, such as seafood and nuts
Oh, and watch what you drink. No more than 2 alcoholic beverages are permitted per day for adults.