Maine Parents, Take a Bow: Your Kids Are Among the Healthiest Eaters in America

If you've ever negotiated with your toddler over "just one more bite of broccoli," here's a parenting win that you can definitely celebrate. 

A new Childhood Nutrition Index ranked Maine as the third-best state in the country for giving young kids a healthy nutritional start in life. Even better? New England swept the podium, with New Hampshire taking first, Vermont second, and Maine coming in third. 

Maine Voted The Third Best State For Healthy Childhood Eating

So, what's Maine doing right? 

For starters, nearly 8 in 10 Maine kids ages 1 to 5 eat fruit every single day, and 62% eat vegetables daily, the second-highest rate in the nation. That's no small feat when ketchup is considered a vegetable by some preschoolers. 

The report also showed us that Maine kids don't drink as many sugary beverages than the national average.

About 72% of families say they can consistently afford healthy food, helping make fresh, nutritious meals a regular part of family life. 

Researchers even looked at everything from fruit and veggie eating to food affordability, child poverty, and food insecurity to create the rankings.

Overall, Maine scored 43% above the national average. Yay Maine! 

Of course, no family is perfect.

There are still plenty of nights when dinner ends with chicken nuggets or breakfast is whatever everyone can grab before school. 

Read More: Burlington Is Opening A Store In Augusta, Maine This September 

This data shows us that overall, Maine families are building healthy habits early and that's something worth celebrating. 

Parenting is hard, but it looks like Maine moms and dads are doing a pretty great job raising healthy eaters.