Health Tips for October 24

Health Tip: Reduce Toddler Serving Sizes

When sizing a toddler's meal, keep in mind that serving sizes should be smaller for smaller tummies.

The American Dietetic Association mentions these serving size guidelines for toddlers aged 2 to 3:

• Toddlers should eat about 3 ounces of grains per day. For example, this works out to about three slices of bread, or one slice of bread plus one-third cup cold cereal and one-forth cup cooked rice or pasta.
• One cup of various vegetables per day meets their vegetable needs.
• One cup of fruits per day will satisfy their fruit servings.
• Toddlers should have about 2 cups of milk per day.
• Toddlers should have about 2 ounces of meat or beans per day.
• Limit oils to about 3 teaspoons per day.

Health Tip: Inspect Your Child's Playground

Before you turn your child loose at the playground, inspect it to make sure it's safe.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons mentions these features to look for when inspecting a playground:

• A soft, padded surface below the equipment, such as sand, shredded tires, mulch or wood chips.
• Separate "active" and "quiet" locations, for activities such as swinging versus playing in the sand.
• Separate play areas for preschoolers and bigger kids.
• A safe entrance - exit area, away from equipment that's being used.
• Popular areas that are kept separate, to limit crowds.
• Clear sight lines so that parents can easily see across the playground.