As parents, you must be constantly pressured and bombarded with information about the importance of giving your children the best nutrition throughout their entire lives - five fruits and vegetables a day, three glasses of milk, don’t forget your protein and a host of vitamins and minerals to account for. But what does this really mean? Is there really such a thing as the “perfect diet” for a newborn, toddler or child?

What if a child is eating his five fruits/vegetables every day, getting exactly three servings of dairy per day, but mom is really stressed out because she has to go to the grocery store four times a week and has no time left for her family? Or what if mom works full‐time, feels pressured to make gourmet meals for her kids, and spends two hours in the kitchen every night, when she would rather be spending quality time playing and reading to her children? Even if these children are getting the healthiest meals and snacks, you must ensure that the rest of your family life is well balanced, too.

In order for babies and young children to thrive, grow and be well-adjusted in life, they obviously must get a good and hearty dose of nutritious foods. But equally important is the nurture, love and physical affection they get from you every day.

So you're hearing it from a dietitian: There is no such thing as a “perfect diet” for a child of any age, and there never will be. Whatever else you do to help your children and family eat healthfully, remember the emotional importance of sacred mealtimes, play times, and low stress levels. I am not suggesting that you throw nutrition by the wayside. But I am suggesting you aim to strike a healthy balance in the family.

If five days have passed, and you realize that your child has not eaten a fruit or vegetable all week, don’t panic. Just make a mental note of it, and aim to put some color and variety in your little one’s diet over the next few days. Start with one fruit or veggie this week, and be sure to congratulate yourself for even the smallest improvements.

If you are sitting at a fast food restaurant with your five year old son, feeling guilty that he is eating his third cheeseburger for the week, sit close to him, tell him you love him and just enjoy the meal with him. This may make a greater impact on his overall health, and don’t sweat the nutritional impact just yet. Fortunately, the human body is designed to be very forgiving of our mistakes, especially nutritional pitfalls.

Remind yourself that the emotional, physical and mental aspects of eating can be just as important as the nutritional aspects of food. Meals and snack times should be really pleasant experiences for our children. And remember that the final goal in parenting is not to raise flawless children, but to raise healthy children who also have a sense of mental and emotional well-being!