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• Dairy-Free Diet

  A dairy-free diet is one that has no animal milk in it or any products made from milk.

• Dietary Needs for Kids With Cerebral Palsy

  Kids with cerebral palsy can have trouble eating. But with the right diet and feeding techniques, they can get the nutrients needed to thrive.

• Raising a Fit Preschooler

  Preschoolers have a lot of energy, and the physical skills and coordination to ride a tricycle or chase a butterfly.

• Safe Exploring for Preschoolers

  Kids ages 3-5 have tons of energy and are eager to walk, run, dance, and play. It's a great age for exploration too.

• Safe Exploring for Toddlers

  Toddlers are learning to talk, to walk and run, and to assert their independence. For many in this age group, "outside" and "play" are common requests.

• Signing Kids Up for Sports

  Organized sports can help kids grow in many ways. Consider your child's age, personality, and abilities to help make sports fun.

• Strength Training

  With a properly designed and supervised program, strength training can be a fun way for kids to build healthy muscles, joints, and bones.

• Anorexia

  People with the eating disorder anorexia are very afraid of gaining weight. They have unrealistic views of their body and try to eat as little as possible. They also might exercise too much or do other things to lose weight.

• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

  Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder. Children who have it are extremely picky eaters and have little interest in eating food, which can lead to poor growth and poor nutrition.

• Bulimia

  People with the eating disorder bulimia often eat large amounts of food over short periods of time (binge eat). Then, they try to prevent weight gain by doing things like exercising too much or throwing up what they ate.

• Weight Loss Surgery

  When diet and exercise aren't enough to help shed stubborn pounds, weight loss surgery may be an option for teens who are very overweight.

• Fitness and Your 13- to 18-Year-Old

  Kids who enjoy exercise tend to stay active throughout their lives. Learn how to encourage fitness in your teen.

• Fitness and Your 2- to 3-Year-Old

  Kids this age are naturally active, so be sure to provide lots of opportunities for your child to practice basic skills, such as running, kicking, and throwing.

• Fitness and Your 3- to 5-Year-Old

  Take advantage of your child's natural tendency to be active. Staying fit can help improve kids' self-esteem and decrease the risk of serious illnesses later in life.

• Fitness and Your 6- to 12-Year-Old

  School-age kids need physical activity to build strength, coordination, confidence, and to lay the groundwork for a healthy lifestyle.

• Fitness for Kids Who Don’t Like Sports

  Some kids aren't natural athletes and they may say they just don't like sports. What then?

• Kids and Exercise

  Besides enjoying the health benefits of regular exercise, kids who are physically fit are better able to handle physical and emotional challenges.

• Motivating Kids to Be Active

  Parents can help instill a love of activity and help kids make it a part of their everyday routine.

• Motivating Preschoolers to Be Active

  A preschooler's desire to move, move, move makes this a great time to encourage fitness habits that can last a lifetime.

• Motivating School-Age Kids to Be Active

  Being active is a key part of good health for all school-age kids. So how do you get kids motivated to be active, especially those who aren't gifted athletes?

• Snacks

  If the right foods are offered at the right times, snacks can play an important role in managing kids' hunger and boosting nutrition.

• Snacks for School-Age Kids

  Healthy snacks can help parents manage school-age kids' hunger and boost nutrition.

• Snacks for Toddlers

  Some toddlers may seem too busy exploring to slow down and eat. Others may be fickle about food or refuse to eat at mealtime. That's where healthy, well-timed snacks come in.

• Sports Drinks and Energy Drinks

  When it comes to keeping your kid hydrated, there's a dizzying array of drinks to choose from. Are sports and energy drinks right for your child?

• Sports Supplements

  Sports supplements are products used to enhance athletic performance. But there aren't enough long-term studies to know if they're safe for teens.

• Tips for Feeding a Preschooler

  During the preschool years, kids are more willing to cooperate. So it's a great time to teach them about healthy food choices in new and exciting ways.

• Toddlers at the Table: Avoiding Power Struggles

  By offering choices, you can teach your toddler healthy eating habits and avoid power struggles about food.

• Vegetarian Diets

  Vegetarian diets have become more popular, and many parents may wonder if kids can safely follow a vegetarian diet and still get all the nutrients necessary for growing up healthy and strong.

• Your Child’s Weight

  "What's the right weight for my child?" is one of the most common questions parents have. It seems like a simple one, but it's not always easy to answer.

• Food Safety: Fruits & Vegetables

  Kids need daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Here's how to make sure the produce you buy and prepare is safe.

• Handling Picky Eating in Toddlers (Video)

  Make mealtimes more pleasant and less stressful for everyone by learning how to handle a picky eater.

• Healthy Eating

  Good nutrition and a balanced diet help kids grow up healthy. Here's how to improve nutrition and encourage smart eating habits.

• Healthy Food Shopping

  What you put in the grocery cart can affect your child's health and attitude toward nutritious food.

• How to Make a Healthy Snack

  Healthy snacks give your child the right balance of fiber and protein.

• Hunger and Your Preschooler

  Your preschooler eats lunch, then 20 minutes later claims to be hungry. Is a snack OK? Maybe yes, maybe no. Here's why.

• Iron

  Iron is an important ingredient needed to make hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying part of every red blood cell.

• Keeping Portions Under Control

  Waistlines have been expanding over the last few decades. Part of the problem is what we eat, but another is quantity. Are our plates simply piled too high?

• Kids and Food: 10 Tips for Parents

  Here are 10 simple tips to help you raise kids who develop healthy eating habits!

• MyPlate Food Guide

  The USDA's food guide icon is designed to make meal planning easy. Here's how to get MyPlate onto your table.

• Nutrition Guide for Toddlers

  While growth slows somewhat during the toddler years, it's a new era where kids will eat and drink more independently.

• Reading Food Labels

  Find out how to make healthy food choices for your family by reading food labels.

• Caffeine

  Caffeine is in many foods and drinks, but it's wise to keep caffeine consumption to a minimum, especially in younger kids. Here's why.

• Calcium

  Milk and other calcium-rich foods help build strong, healthy bones. But most kids and teens don't get enough calcium. Here's how to make sure that yours do.

• Carbohydrates and Sugar

  Carbs are the body's most important and readily available source of energy. The key is to eat healthy ones, like whole grains, and avoid foods with added sugar.

• Cooking With Kids

  Inviting kids into the kitchen to help you cook can be a great way to create quality together time and help your child learn some basic skills.

• Cooking With Preschoolers

  It may take a little flexibility and prep work, but time in the kitchen with your preschooler can be a culinary adventure you'll both enjoy.

• Fats

  Some fats are good for kids and an important part of a healthy diet. Here's what parents should know.

• Feeding Your Family on a Tight Budget

  Everyone needs enough healthy food, but many people can't get it all the time. Here are programs that can help.

• Fiber

  Many appetizing foods are also good sources of fiber - from fruits to whole-grain cereals. Here are ways to help kids get more fiber in their everyday diets.

• A to Z: Vitamin D Deficiency

  Vitamin D deficiency is a condition that happens when a person isn't getting enough vitamin D, which is needed for strong bones and overall health.

• Sports Physicals

  Just as professional sports stars need medical care to keep them playing their best, so do student athletes. That's why it's important to make sure that kids and teens get a sports physical.

• After-School Snacks

  If your kids come in from school and head straight for the kitchen for something to eat, here's how to make sure they still have room for a healthy dinner.

• Breakfast Basics

  Even if you eat a healthy morning meal every day, it can be tough to get kids fueled up. Here's how to make breakfast more appealing.

• School Lunches

  Packing school lunches are a chance to steer kids toward good nutrition. Here are ideas for some fun and easy lunchbox options.

• Snacks for Preschoolers

  Healthy and well-timed snacks can help fill in nutritional gaps for preschoolers. But how do you turn yours into a smart snacker?

• Feeding Your Child Athlete

  All kids need to eat balanced meals and have a healthy diet. But should that balance change for kids who play on a sports team or work out?

• I’m Pregnant. Can I Lower My Baby’s Food Allergy Risk?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• My Toddler Hates Vegetables. What Can I Do?

  Do your toddler's veggies end up on the floor or cold on the plate? Try these tips.

• What Is a BMI Report Card?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• When Can My Child Start Drinking Juice?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• When Should Kids Switch to Nonfat Milk?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Does Nonfat Milk Provide the Same Nutrients as Whole Milk?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• How Can I Calculate Calories From Fat?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• How Should I Deal With a Picky Eater?

  Find out what the experts have to say.

• Eating Disorders

  Eating disorders are common among teens and kids, especially young women. Read about the warning signs, prevention strategies, and ways to help a child with an eating disorder.

• Steroids

  Get the facts about steroids, their side effects, and why kids and teens might try them.

• Sportsmanship

  One of the most important goals of kids' sports is helping children develop a sense of good sportsmanship. Here's how to set a good example for your kids.

• Compulsive Exercise

  Even though exercise has many positive benefits, too much can be harmful. Teens who exercise compulsively are at risk for both physical and psychological problems.

• Pica

  Some young kids have the eating disorder pica, which is characterized by cravings to eat nonfood items.

• Binge Eating Disorder

  Kids who eat unusually large amounts of food - and feel guilty or secretive about it - could be struggling with binge eating disorder.

• Recipes for Kids With Cystic Fibrosis

  These high-calorie recipes are especially for kids with cystic fibrosis (CF). Kids with CF may need additional calories to meet their nutritional needs. Check out these delicious recipes.

• Recipes for Kids With Lactose Intolerance

  These recipes are especially for kids with lactose intolerance. Kids with lactose intolerance often need to limit or avoid dairy products.

• Recipes for Kids With Diabetes

  These recipes were created for kids with diabetes, but can be enjoyed by anyone looking for nutritious meals and snacks.

• Recipes for Kids With Celiac Disease

  These recipes are especially for kids who need a gluten-free diet. Kids who need a gluten-free diet must avoid foods that contain gluten, which is a type of protein found in many foods.

• How to Make a Balanced Salad

  A healthy salad includes the right balance of ingredients. Find out more.

• Kids & Sports

  Get tips on everything from finding the best sport for your kids to preventing and handling injuries.

• Food Safety

  Food safety is important. Here's how to be sure your kitchen and the foods you prepare in it are safe.

• Safety Tips: Basketball

  Basketball is fun - but it's also a contact sport, and injuries happen. To help your kids stay safe on the basketball court, take a look at these safety tips.

• Safety Tips: Hockey

  As fun as it is, ice hockey carries a very real risk of injury. To keep your kids as safe as possible, follow these tips.

• Safety Tips: Skateboarding

  Skateboarding is undeniably cool, but it's also easy for riders to get hurt. Help your kids keep it safe with these safety tips.

• Safety Tips: Skiing

  Skiing is fun but also has some very real dangers. Make sure your kids follow these safety tips to learn how to stay safe on the slopes.

• Safety Tips: Sledding

  Sledding is a lot of fun, but can also cause injuries, some of them pretty serious. To keep your kids safe while sledding, make sure they follow these safety tips.

• Safety Tips: Snowboarding

  Snowboarding is a great way to have fun and get exercise, but it has some very real dangers. These safety tips can help keep your family safe on the slopes.

• Bike Safety

  Bike riding is a great way to get exercise and share time as a family. But there's an important factor that you need to consider - safety.

• Preventing Children’s Sports Injuries

  Participation in sports can teach kids sportsmanship and discipline. But sports also carry the potential for injury. Here's how to protect your kids.

• Safety Tips: Baseball

  Baseball is by no means a dangerous sport. But it can present a very real risk of injuries from things like wild pitches, batted balls, and collisions in the field. These safety tips can help keep your kids safe on the diamond.

• First Aid: Strains and Sprains

  Here's what to do if you think your child has pulled or torn a muscle, ligament, or tendon.

• First Aid: Teeth Injuries

  If your child loses a baby tooth, there's no need to replace it. But if a permanent tooth is dislodged, it's a dental emergency. Here's what to do.

• First Aid: Broken Bones

  A broken bone needs emergency medical care. Here's what to do if you think your child fractured a bone.

• Head Injuries

  Head injuries can be external or internal. Learn more about both kinds, how to prevent them, and what to do if your child is injured.

• Heat Illness

  Active kids can be at risk for heat illness, which can result in heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heatstroke. Learn how to prevent and treat heat illness.

• Nosebleeds

  A nosebleed can be scary, but it's rarely cause for alarm. Here's how to handle one at home.

• Dehydration

  Sometimes kids lose fluids and salts through fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or sweating. Here are some tips on preventing or treating dehydration.

• Water Safety

  Kids need constant supervision around water — whether the water is in a bathtub, pool, the sea, or a water park. Here's how to keep them safe.

• A to Z: Head Injury

  Learn more about head injuries (head trauma).

• Halloween Candy Hints

  For health-conscious parents, Halloween can be tricky. Do you set limits? Do you let kids decide how much to eat? There isn't just one right answer.

• Overweight and Obesity

  Preventing kids from becoming overweight means making choices in the way your family eats and exercises, and how you spend time together.

• How to Handle Heat Illness

  In hot weather, a child's internal temperature can rise and cause heat exhaustion, which can progress to heatstroke if not treated quickly.

• Body Mass Index (BMI)

  Doctors use body mass index (BMI) measurements to assess a child's physical growth in relation to other kids the same age. Here's how to calculate BMI and understand what the numbers mean.

• Formula Feeding FAQs: Starting Solids and Milk

  Find answers to common inquiries about introducing solids and whole milk to formula-fed babies.

• Formula Feeding FAQs: Getting Started

  Shopping for formula-feeding supplies can be daunting. Here are answers to some common questions about formula feeding.

• Formula Feeding FAQs: How Much and How Often

  Get answers to some common formula-feeding inquiries, from how much newborns eat to what their diapers might look like.

• Formula Feeding FAQs: Preparation and Storage

  Check out these formula-feeding bottle basics, from how to mix bottles to how to store them safely.

• Formula Feeding FAQs: Some Common Concerns

  Read about how to manage common formula-feeding concerns, from spitting up and fussiness to gas and milk allergies.

• What Should I Feed My Baby if I Can’t Find Baby Formula in Stores?

  There is a national shortage of baby formula. Here are tips on how to handle it.

• Finger Foods for Babies

  When they're around 9 months old, babies can begin feeding themselves. Find out which foods are safe, healthy options and which should not be served to little ones.

• Eating During Pregnancy

  To eat well during pregnancy, your extra calories should come from nutritious foods that contribute to your baby's growth and development.

• Exercising During Pregnancy

  Most women benefit greatly from exercising throughout their pregnancies. But during that time, you'll need to make a few changes to your normal exercise routine.

• Feeding Your 8- to 12-Month-Old

  At this age, babies start to explore table foods.

• Feeding Your Newborn

  These guidelines on breastfeeding and bottle feeding can help you know what's right for you and your baby.

• Breastfeeding FAQs: How Much and How Often

  Here's info about how often to breastfeed your baby, how long it takes to nurse, and much more.

• Breastfeeding FAQs: Out and About

  Here are answers to some common questions about going out in public as a breastfeeding mom - from how to do it discreetly to taming sneaky leaks.

• Breastfeeding FAQs: Pain and Discomfort

  Here are answers to some common questions about preventing and reducing breastfeeding discomfort, such as nipple and breast pain.

• Breastfeeding FAQs: Pumping

  Here are answers to some common questions about pumping your breast milk - from buying a pump to making the process a little easier.

• Breastfeeding FAQs: Safely Storing Breast Milk

  Here are answers to some common questions about how to keep breast milk and how to clean and sterilize supplies, from bottles to nipples to breast pump parts.

• Breastfeeding FAQs: Solids and Supplementing

  Here are answers to some common supplemental feeding questions - from when to introduce solids to offering breastfed babies formula.

• Breastfeeding FAQs: Some Common Concerns

  Here are answers to some questions about common breastfeeding concerns - from biting to spitting up.

• Breastfeeding FAQs: Supply and Demand

  Here are answers to some common questions about your milk supply - from having too much to having too little.

• Breastfeeding FAQs: Your Eating and Drinking Habits

  Here are answers to some common questions about what breastfeeding moms should and shouldn't eat and drink.

• Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding

  Making a decision to breastfeed or formula feed your baby is a personal one. There are some points to consider to help you decide which option is best for you and your baby.

• Feeding Your 1- to 2-Year-Old

  Toddlers have little tummies, so serve foods that are packed with the nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong, and limit the sweets and empty calories.

• Feeding Your 1- to 3-Month-Old

  Whether you've chosen to breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby, your infant will let you know when it's time to eat.

• Feeding Your 4- to 7-Month-Old

  Is your baby is ready for solid foods? Learn how and when to get started.

• Breastfeeding FAQs: Sleep – Yours and Your Baby’s

  Here are answers to some common questions about breastfed babies and sleep - from where they should snooze to when they'll finally start sleeping through the night.

• Breastfeeding FAQs: Getting Started

  Here are answers to common questions about getting started with breastfeeding.

• Failure to Thrive

  Most kids grow well but some have ”failure to thrive.” This means they don't gain weight as expected and may not grow as tall as they should.

• A to Z: Failure to Thrive

  Failure to thrive refers to a child's inability to gain weight and grow as expected for kids of the same age and gender. Most diagnoses are made in the first few years of life.

• Dietary Tips for Kids With Cystic Fibrosis

  Kids with cystic fibrosis have some special nutritional needs. Here's how parents can help them.

• Vitamin D

  Vitamin D is needed for strong bones, but is hard to come by because it's found in few foods. Here's how to make sure kids get enough vitamin D.

• Strains and Sprains

  Sprains and strains are common injuries, especially for kids who play hard or are into sports.

• Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

  Rotator cuff tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons of the rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons in the shoulder bones.

• Osgood-Schlatter Disease

  Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is one of the most common causes of knee pain in adolescents. It's really not a disease, but an overuse injury.

• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee)

  Patellofemoral pain syndrome (or runner's knee) is the most common overuse injury among runners, but it can also happen to other athletes who do activities that require a lot of knee bending.

• Knee Injuries

  Knee injuries are common among young athletes. Learn about causes, treatments, and prevention.

• Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injuries

  MCL injuries can happen in active and athletic kids, when excessive pressure is put on the knee joint, resulting in a torn ligament.

• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tears

  ACL injuries can happen in active and athletic kids when excessive pressure is put on the knee joint, resulting in a torn ligament.

• 3 Ways to Build Strong Bones

  We build almost all our bone density when we're kids and teens. Kids with strong bones have a better chance of avoiding bone weakness later in life. Here's how parents can help.

• DASH Diet for High Blood Pressure

  Doctor may recommend the DASH diet for kids who've had a blood pressure reading that was higher than normal. The DASH diet is not a strict diet, but more of a lifestyle.

• Ketogenic Diet for Epilepsy

  A ketogenic diet is a strict high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that can reduce, and sometimes stop, seizures.

• Burner (Stinger)

  Burners (or stingers) are injuries to the nerve network in the shoulder, arm, forearm, hand, and fingers. They're pretty common in sports and usually go away quickly.

• Can Kids and Teens With Asthma Play Sports?

  Kids and teens who have asthma can and do play sports. But some activities are better than others - find out more.

• Lactose Intolerance

  Many kids have lactose intolerance - trouble digesting lactose, the main sugar in milk and milk products - which can cause cramps, diarrhea, and gas.

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common intestinal problem that can cause cramps, gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Certain foods can trigger these problems. So can anxiety, stress, and infections.

• Nutrition Therapy and Crohn’s Disease

  Nutrition therapy is an alternative to medicines that doctors use to ease the symptoms of Crohn's disease. It can help improve nutrition and growth, ease inflammation, and heal the gastrointestinal tract.

• Indigestion

  Indigestion is an upset stomach that most often happens because someone eats too much or too fast, or has foods that don't agree with them.

• Milk Allergy in Infants

  Almost all infants are fussy at times. But some are very fussy because they have an allergy to the protein in cow's milk, which is the basis for most commercial baby formulas.

• Peanut Allergy

  If your child is allergic to nuts or peanuts, it's essential to learn what foods might contain them and how to avoid them.

• Sesame Allergy

  Sesame is one of the most common foods that can cause allergic reactions. Avoiding sesame means more than just not eating it. It also means not eating any foods that might contain sesame as ingredients.

• Tree Nut Allergy

  Sometimes people outgrow some food allergies over time, but tree nut allergies are lifelong in many people.

• Celiac Disease

  Celiac disease happens when someone has a food intolerance to gluten. Here's how to manage symptoms and prevent damage to the intestines.