Snacking Healthy

Apples, Pyramids and Mealtime Structure

If you're at a loss as to how to transition from an all mac'n'cheese meal plan to one with a bit of variety, we've got a solution.

MyPyramid

MyPyramid is a structure that provides structure. It's the newest and most easy-to-use food guidance system based on the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Within its walls are six food groups: grains, meat and beans, vegetables, milk, fruits and oils. This new pyramid also includes physical activity, the keystone missing from previous pyramids. The key to mastering the MyPyramid plan is its ability to be customized by age, gender and physical activity level.

Take the fruit group, as a convenient example. The chart below* outlines the amount of fruit a person should consume, measured in cups and based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Simply put, MyPyramid's maxim for this group is "focus on fruit."

* These amounts are appropriate for individuals who get less than 30 minutes per day of moderate physical activity beyond normal daily activities. Those who are more physically active may be able to consume more while staying within calorie needs.
Children 2-3 years old 1 cup
4-8 years old 1-1½ cups
Girls 9-13 years old 1½ cups
14-18 years old 1½ cups
Boys 9-13 years old 1½ cups
14-18 years old 2 cups

To make it even easier, one Mott's® apple sauce cup is equivalent to one serving of fruit. Give your kids an 8-oz cup of Mott's® Plus for Kids' Health juice, and be sure they're getting a cup of fruit, plus added nutrients! Otherwise, one cup of fruit or 100 percent fruit juice, or half a cup of dried fruit counts as a cup from the fruit group.

The USDA does not endorse any products, services, or organizations.

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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 MyPyramid 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 apple sauce 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.

  • Give them more. For juice with added benefits, serve Mott's® Plus for Kids' Health juice. Its 100% juice fortified with vitamins A, C and calcium, with no added sugar! Available in Apple Punch and Apple Grape varieties.

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Kids and Juice

Snacking Healthy

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® Plus for Kids' Health is a smart choice for moms trying to get their kids to eat healthy foods," said Mott's Nutrition consultant Liz Weiss, MS, RD. "Moms should be confident in their choice to offer Mott's Plus for Kids' Health 100% apple juice blends to their kids. It's a juice with more punch — more flavor, more essential nutrients, more kid-appeal and more versatility making it a great boredom buster when you think you've tried every healthy option with your kids."

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.

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