Nutrition for Kids
My Plate
MyPlate illustrates the five food groups that are the building blocks for a healthy diet using a familiar image—a place setting for a meal. Before you eat, think about what goes on your plate or in your cup or bowl with this handy guide. Mott's® products can fit right into the MyPlate diagram. Take the fruit group, as a convenient example. According to MyPlate, half your plate should always be fruit. Any fruit or 100% fruit juice counts as part of the fruit group. Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cut-up, or pureed.
MyPlate breaks down food groups into grains, protein goods, vegetables, dairy, fruits and oils. The key to mastering the MyPlate plan is its ability to be customized by age, gender and physical activity level.
You can find even more specific tips on each food group here. For example, at least half your grain consumption should actually be whole grains. Meanwhile the MyPlate vegetable food group can be broken down into five different subgroups including starchy vegetables and beans & peas.
Take a look at the fruit group to see how MyPlate applies to children of all ages.
The USDA does not endorse any products, services, or organizations.
Mott's products are a great way to get servings of both fruits and vegetables into your families' diet. In fact, one Mott's® applesauce cup is equivalent to one serving of fruit. Otherwise, one cup of fruit or 100 percent fruit juice, as a cup from the fruit group. And Mott's Medleys even has a serving of veggies to boot.
Let's Help Kids Eat Healthier
When it comes to taking steps to help your kids eat better, you can check two things off your list. Mott's and MyPlate are two good first steps; if you need a little more help, try these tips below!
Get them used to fruit. Teach young children the importance of eating fruit by allowing them to pick a new, interesting fruit to try for lunch.
Find fruit where you least expect it. Try applesauce as a substitute for some of the oil when baking cakes or muffins, or add fruit like pineapple, peaches or apples to barbecue kabobs.
Don't desert dessert. Want to give kids a healthy dessert? Make it double as a serving of fruit and serve baked apples or pears that naturally sweeten in the oven.
Kids and Juice
There's a lot of discussion regarding juice intake in children. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends 100 percent fruit juice for children as part of a healthy diet and states that only "excessive" juice consumption is associated with health concerns.
Mott's for Tots® is another excellent juice choice for your kids. Mott's for Tots® is a blend of 100% apple juice and purified water. With 40% less sugar than regular apple juice and 100% of the vitamin C your child needs, we are making it easier than ever to make a healthy choice for your kids — and it's pediatrician approved.