Kids: Putting It All Together

A few simple guidelines will keep children on the right track—a diet built from grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruit, along with plenty of activity, and avoiding smoking, severe dieting, salty foods, and excess protein from meats, eggs, and cheeses is all you need to do. Your child's body will take care of the rest.

These factors, along with your child's natural hormones and genes, will determine the strength of his or her bones. When it comes to bone health, it pays to look beyond the “get more calcium” message and offer your child a diet that both promotes bone building and reduces bone loss. Because dairy products are high in salt, animal protein, calories, and fat, plant sources of calcium, along with vitamin D and calcium–fortified products, are the preferred foods for your child's bones.