You try to feed your kids healthful food most of the time, but are there a few tweaks you could make to get just a little more nutrition into them? If they're already making OK choices, then it's pretty painless to sneak in few more vitamins and minerals. Here are some super substitutions. Start with drinks. Pediatricians recommend switching to cow's milk at age 1, but did you know that not all kids need all the fat in whole milk? In fact, all that saturated fat can be harmful. If your child is hitting all his developmental milestones and is at an appropriate weight, discuss drinking 2 percent with your doctor. Organic milk is a healthful switch for all kids - it keeps out harmful chemicals and growth hormones. If your kids like juice, then try switching to one of the healthier "light" versions of her favorite or simply water down the usual juice you serve. Kids just don't need the sugar and calories most juices have. Snacks are a great time to ramp up nutrition. Stop peeling your kids' fruit at snack time if possible.
An apple with its skin intact will provide twice the fiber. And if you serve fruit with a sugary dip like caramel, then try switching to peanut butter to give kids some protein and healthy fats. Yogurt makes a great breakfast food for kids and adults alike, but some brands pack several spoonfuls of sugar. Look for low-fat, low-sugar brands, and if you can find a label that reads "live active cultures," then probiotics are present. These are healthy bacteria that enhance digestion. If your child enjoys seafood, that's great. But if we're talking just fish sticks or fried fish sandwiches slathered with mayo, then the benefits of eating seafood are greatly reduced. Give tuna a try. Mercury in fish is a concern, but kids can eat a serving or two of chunk light tuna in water each week. You're probably doing a great job getting nutritious food on the table, but get creative and find even more ways of feeding your kids the food they love and that's good for them.