A Healthier Plate at Meal Time! from Pillsbury.com

Getting kids to try new foods isn't always easy, right? Here's a cool tool from the USDA that can help: MyPlate shows kids how to choose foods from different food groups through easy-to-use, color-coded pictures. So let your kids get colorfully creative when choosing their meals – and have some fun while they’re at it. Download and print MyPlate, and keep it handy at the table -- even use it as a placemat -- and help kids learn to make better choices.

Download MyPlate now!

More info at http://www.choosemyplate.gov/

A Rainbow of Healthy Food Choices for Kids

Fruits

Apples, Bananas, Blueberries, Grapes, Oranges, Pears, Pineapple, Raisins, Strawberries
- Focus on eating fruit every day.
- Fruits are sweet and delicious and give you vitamins, minerals and fiber.
- Fruits help keep tissues healthy and give kids energy.
Grains

Breads, Cereal, Couscous, Oatmeal, Pasta, Rice, Tortillas
- Start the day with a breakfast of cereal made with whole grain.
- Make sure half of the grains every day are whole grains.
- Grains provide carbohydrates for energy to keep kids running and playing hard.
Vegetables

Asparagus, Carrots, Corn, Broccoli, Green Beans, Peas, Squash, Tomatoes
- Add color to meals with great-tasting veggies that are green and orange.
- Vegetables give you vitamins, minerals and fiber.
- They help you to see and taste, and keep tummies moving along.
Protein

Beans, Beef, Chicken, Eggs, Fish, Nuts, Pork, Tofu
- Stick with lean protein.
- Choose beans and low-fat versions of protein that are baked, broiled or grilled, not fried.
- Meats and beans supply protein and iron to support muscles and help kids grow.
Dairy

Cheese, Milk, Yogurt
- Drink plenty of milk at every meal.
- Be sure milk or yogurt is low fat or fat free.
- Calcium-rich dairy foods help build strong bones and teeth.