Eat Right, Grow Strong Nutrition for Young Children

Eat Right, Grow StrongNutrition for Young Children

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES At the end of this workshop participants will be able to… • Describe why good nutrition is so important to young children. • Explain in detail the components of a child care environment that promote healthy eating. • Describe the role of child care staff in helping shape children’s eating behaviors. • List some things staff can do in their classroom to help children develop healthy eating behaviors.

Let’s Review... • In Michigan, about 1 in 3 low-income children ages 2-5 years are overweight or obese. • Being overweight is a risk to physical and mental health. • Michigan children are in crisis. • Poor nutrition and physical inactivity contribute to weight gain. • Healthy lifestyle behaviors are formed early in life.

“For many children, child care serves as a home-away-from-home and has the potential to positively influence their health.” University of North Carolina

Brainstorm How willing are children to eat healthy foods? Do you think parents are paying more or less attention to healthy eating than they used to?

Healthy Eating in Child Care • Children may receive between 50% and 75% of their daily calories at the child care facility. • Child care nutrition practices and policies can have widespread and long‐term impact on healthy child development. • Well fed, healthy children are better prepared to focus and learn in the classroom.

What is “Healthy” Food? Healthy Food and Beverages are nutrient rich: • Colorful Fruits and Vegetables • Whole Grains • Low-fat Dairy • Beans and Legumes • Nuts • Lean meats

Fruits and Vegetables • A variety of fruits and vegetables give children vitamins and minerals that keep children healthy and help them grow. • 100% fruit and vegetable juices are good but less nutritious and filling than the foods themselves.

Making Fruits and Vegetables Fun Ways to get kids to LOVE their fruits and vegetables (or at least try them!)… • Serve them creatively. • Have a party for your senses. • Incorporate them into lessons by trying fruits and vegetables from different places around the world. • Set a good example.

Whole Grains • Whole grains are a source of nutrients such as iron, magnesium, selenium, B vitamins, and dietary fiber. • Fiber aids digestion and helps children feel full. Try and incorporate high-fiber whole grain foods at least once every day. • People who eat whole grains as part of a healthy diet have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases.

Lean Meats, Beans and Legumes • Most sausage, bacon, and hot dogs have a lot of fat, sodium, and calories. • French fries and chicken nuggets are also high in saturated fat and calories. • Look for lower fat baked options and serve the high fat versions less often. • Consider occasionally replacing meat with beans for a low fat option with lots of fiber and protein.

Beverages • Water is the best choice for thirsty children. Model good habits for the children by choosing water first. • Avoid soda and fruit drinks that are full of sugar and “empty calories” (few nutrients, many calories). • Serving low fat milk with meals and snacks provides calcium but doesn’t add many calories.

Beverage Myths • Myth 1: Whole milk is best for all kids • All milk regardless of the fat content is fortified with vitamin D. • All milk also provides calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein and riboflavin. • Myth 2: Juice is a highly nutritious beverage option and can be served often. • Whole fruits have more nutrients • Not a good choice to quench thirst

Menus and Variety • Serving a variety of foods helps to meet a child’s nutrition needs. • Children may need to see a new food at least 10 times before they’ll actually try it. Don’t give up! • Including food in your menus from a variety of cultures can make meals more fun and interesting for children.

Party One A. 435 calories B. 680 calories C. 760 calories D. 905 calories • One cupcake • One frosted cookie • Chips and Dip • Hi-C box

Party Two A. 190 calories B. 295 calories C. 370 calories D. 600 calories • Wheat crackers • Reduced fat cheese • Cucumber slices • Blueberries • 100% juice box

Feeding Practices • Gently encourage, but don’t force children to try a bite of a new food. • Forcing children to clean their plates can lead to overeating and weight problems. • Offer healthy foods to children and then let them decide if and how much to eat.

Feeding Practices • Make meal and snack time as stress free as possible and try to provide enough time to eat. • Try to avoid using food to reward good behavior or make a child feel better about something.

Policies Make it Stick What are the benefits of having a written policy? • Everyone knows what the rules are. • Parents know that their children’s health and development is important to you and that you have thought about it and are doing something about it, and • Children know the boundaries. (Source: http://depts.washington.edu/tvhealth/resources_prof.htm)

SCENARIOS

Let’s Review... • In Michigan, about 1 in 3 low-income children ages 2-5 years are overweight or obese. • Being overweight is a risk to physical and mental health • Michigan children are in crisis. • Poor nutrition and physical inactivity contribute to weight gain • Healthy lifestyle behaviors are formed early in life. • Child care providers play an important role in keeping children healthy and forming healthy lifestyle habits

Q & A

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Eat Right, Grow Strong Nutrition for Young Children