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Expert Q&A
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| By Peggy O'Shea Kochenbach Registered Dietitian | ||
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My daughter dips her food items in ketchup, but my son covers his food in a mound of ketchup. Should I allow this? How much should I allow him to eat?
Keep in mind that there is a very big difference between having a plate of fries smothered in ketchup as a meal and having a well-balanced meal of vegetables, grains and lean protein with a squirt of ketchup on the side. There isn't a magic number or portion that is OK to eat – it depends on many things including overall diet, age, etc. But remember that the key to an overall healthful diet is variety and moderation. As with most things related to making sure your child has a healthy diet, the most important thing you can do is achieve a good balance. If their diet is good overall, ketchup can be just fine.
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- My child refuses to eat without ketchup? Help! Is it better for him to eat ketchup-covered food than nothing for now?
- My daughter dips her food items in ketchup, but my son covers his food in a mound of ketchup. Should I allow this? How much should I allow him to eat?