Nutrition in Kids and Teens

Here you will find links to resources about nutrition care, services, and support and websites about nutrition for kids and teens.

Care, Services, and Support

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Find a Registered Dietitian. Directory of certified food and nutrition experts.
Benefits.gov. Eligibility criteria, program descriptions, and contact information in English and Spanish about federal and state government benefit and assistance programs. An online form helps users identify benefits for which they may be eligible, including food and health care.
Feeding America: Food Bank Locator.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): Farmers Markets Search.
Also see the Community Services Locator: An Online Directory for Finding Community Services for Children and Families to find primary care health professionals and other services for families.

Websites

ChooseMyPlate.gov. Information about the five food groups that are the building blocks for a healthy diet. Nutrition tips in English and Spanish, sample menus, and recipes to help you make healthy food choices for you and your kids. Includes tools for planning, analyzing, and tracking diet and physical activity. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Healthychildren.org: Nutrition. Articles and video and audio clips about nutrition and healthy eating habits. Topics include picky eaters, nutrition labels, sports nutrition, and food allergies. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
How to Make a Healthy Home. Tips on how to help kids and teens eat nutritious foods and be active. American Heart Association (AHA).
Kids Eat Right. Articles, tips, recipes, and video clips about nutrition by age group. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Let's Move. Tools for families, schools, and communities to help kids be active, eat better, and get healthy. Includes tips on topics that include healthy eating on a budget. The White House.
Nutrition for Everyone. Information about nutrition basics: food groups, water, dietary fat, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals, and fruits and vegetables. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Nutrition.gov. Links to food and nutrition information from federal agencies. Topics include food nutrients and calories, dietary guidelines, meal planning, food safety, vegetarian nutrition, dietary supplements, and federal nutrition-assistance programs.
Read the Label. Information for tweens (ages 9 to 13) and parents about how to use the nutrition facts label on food packages to make healthy choices. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
What's in the Food You Eat. Nutrient profiles for 13,000 foods commonly eaten in the United States. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Holt K, Wooldridge NH, Story M, Sofka D, eds. 2011. Bright Futures: Nutrition, 3rd ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics. [Guidelines, Pocket guide]. Guidelines for nutrition screening, assessment, and supervision for each developmental period. Addresses nutrition issues and concerns, such as nutrition for kids and teens with special health care needs, food allergies, eating disorders, nutrition in sports, and vegetarian eating practices.
Spoon Foundation and Joint Council on International Children's Services. 2012. Adoption Nutrition: A Starter Guide for Foster and Adoptive Parents. Portland, OR; Alexandria, VA: Spoon Foundation; Joint Council on International Children's Services.

Learn more about nutrition in kids and teens and food marketing, food safety, food security and nutrition assistance programs, and nutrition, physical activity, and obesity in child care and early education programs.

Need more information? Use the collection of resources that library staff have put together for you and your family.

Nutrition in Kids and Teens: Family Resource Brief, 2nd ed. (September 2012). (Updated: July 2014).

Author: Susan Brune Lorenzo, M.L.S., MCH Digital Library.
Reviewers: Arissa K. Anderson, M.P.H. and R.D. candidate, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; Stephanie Loup, M.P.H. and R.D. candidate, University of Minnesota; Shree Mohanty, M.A., M.S., R.D., L.D., Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Region V; Olivia Pickett, M.A., M.L.S., MCH Digital Library; Bridget L. Wardley, M.S., R.D., C.S.P., New York University Steinhardt.
Editor: Ruth Barzel, M.A., MCH Digital Library.