Things You Can Do

Healthy Food for Kids
• From ages 1 to 2, children should have whole milk, not low-fat or nonfat milk, to help their brains develop and their bodies grow.
• After age 2, children should not have a high-fat diet. Even children can develop high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Provide healthy snacks like fruits, juices, vegetables, whole wheat bread and low-fat cheese.
• Ask your school district about school lunch and breakfast programs.
• If your family needs food, call a food bank or WIC. Call Food or WIC Works.

Tips to Prevent Food Poisoning
• Wash your hands with soap after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food. Make sure your children wash their hands.
• Keep foods like milk, formula, meat, fish, deviled eggs and mayonnaise refrigerated at 40º F. It is best to throw them away if they are left out for more than 2 hours.
• Raw or cooked meat, fish and poultry may spoil if refrigerated for more than 3 days.
• Cook meat, fish, poultry and eggs until cooked through.
• Rinse fresh fruits, vegetables and the outsides of eggs carefully.
• After using utensils, cutting boards or plates for raw meat, fish, eggs or poultry, wash them with hot water and soap before using them again.
• Refrigerate leftovers right away and keep lunches and picnic foods in insulated containers.
• Questions about food safety? Call FDA Center for Food Safety and Nutrition or Pesticide Information.

Food Supplements for Women
Food is the best and cheapest way to get the vitamins and minerals you need. However, women in the childbearing years should take 400 micrograms (0.4 mg) of folic acid daily. Ask your doctor if you should take extra calcium. Tell your doctor all the vitamins, minerals or other food supplements you take—especially if you are pregnant or nursing. Visit www.nutrition.gov.