Healtht Food and Nutrition

Good nutrition is important for children, having a proper nutrition is essential during the early childhood development so children grow to obtain a healthy height and weight, and also be able to concentrate in school and do not have any nutritional deficiencies. This also helps you to eat the right amount of foods in order to get all the calories and nutrients needed for proper growth and development. According to Robertson, (2010), states, “MyPyramid for Kids, suggests for children ages 6 to 11 years, the recommended daily total amount of grains is 6 ounces, with 3 ounces being whole grain. MyPyramid for Kids, is tailored for children ages 6 to 11 years, it is suggested that they eat 2 ½  cups of vegetables from the five different areas listed: dark green vegetables, orange vegetables, dry beans and peas, starchy vegetables, and others which includes tomatoes, onions, and celery. MyPyramid for Kids suggests that in the fruit group 6 to 11 years focus more on fruits and eat a variety of fruits on a daily basis. MyPyramid for Kids milk is the next major group, children 6 to 11 years are encouraged to eat calcium-rich food and choose low-fat or fat-free types. The last major category on MyPyramid for Kids is meat and beans, it suggest that children ages 6 to 11 years go lean on protein and eat 5 ounces of it daily. The pyramid also suggests the protein choices should include fish, beans, peas, nuts, and seeds” (p. 218-219).Good healthy eating habits starts from infancy, the first six months babies only need breast milk or formula. Solid foods should not be given until 4-6 months. Introducing solids foods to early causes allergies in infants. Parents should add fruits and vegetables at 6-7 months and start feeding with a spoon and add protein foods to the child’s diet at 7 months old. Add table foods at 8-12 months. Offer the baby a variety of foods to encourage good eating habits. “Parents can develop positive and healthy habits that will last a life time”(The fight launch, 2012). Keeping preschool children at healthy weight, parents can teach them healthy eating habits. Encourage the child to drink water instead of juice, sodas and other sweetened drink. To help teach the child about nutrition let them be involved in food shopping and helping you prepare meals. Discourage children from eating meals in front of the television by explaining family time is very important. Children should physically active and participate in activities that burn off energy (Children’s Health, 2012). The physical and social environment in which the child eats, strongly relates to the child’s eating pattern. “There are food allergies that occur in these children they are peanuts, nuts, fish, shell fish, and eggs are the most common foods causing reactions”(Life threatening food allergies in school and childcare settings, 2012). Making mealtime important for children could help them develop healthy eating habits. Teachers can properly prepare meals with understanding the temperament of the child, his capabilities, and his tempo. Mealtimes are times for families to connect by communicating with one another while enjoying their meal. The physical and social environment in which the child eats strongly relates to the child eating patterns. When parents eat unhealthy their children eat unhealthy. Children are influenced by what they see their parents eat. If children see parents and teachers model healthy eating behaviors they will most likely do the same. “Good nutrition is important during childhood because this is the time when lifelong habits are formed” (Davis, 2011). Childhood obesity can cause diabetes, if parents would teach their children good nutritional eating habits; they are less likely to become obese.

By children eating foods from all the recommended food groups daily, children should get enough vitamins and minerals. Menus can be created to serve the children and teachers can teach nutrition to children and parents. Food and nutrition should be a part of promoting health. Teachers must create nutritional policies to help support growth, health, and well-being of the child.

“Making cooking fun is one way to involve children in learning about healthy eating. It is fun for the whole family or class. Letting children be a part of things will keep and hold their attention. Here are some recipes that the whole class or families can do together” (Briggs, 2009).

Funny Face Pizza
Ingredients:
English muffins
Pizza sauce
Grated mozzarella cheese
Blanch broccoli spears
Sliced cooked sausage or pepperoni
Slice mushrooms
Roasted peppers
Black olives
Preheat oven to 500 degrees
2. Place English muffins on cookie sheet pan

3. Spoon 3 table spoons of pizza sauce and spread over English muffin. Sprinkle small amount of grated mozzarella cheese. Arrange pizza toppers to make a funny face: Broccoli or sausage for hair, mushrooms for a nose, pepperoni eyes, and black olives for pupils. Add more cheese on top to help secure the toppings.
4. Place cookie sheet in oven and back until bubbly; 7 to 10 minutes. Let cool slightly and enjoy. Serve with apple sauce
the nutritional value of this recipe includes grains, dairy, vegetables, meats and fruit.
This recipe was found at www.familyfun.com
 Banana Dog

Ingredients
Whole-grain hot dog bun
Peanut butter
Wheat germ or sunflower seeds
Banana
Jam
Milk

1. Spread a whole-grain hot dog bun with peanut butter, sprinkle with wheat germ or sunflower seeds and top a whole peeled banana and squiggle of jam. Add a side of milk to make a healthy snack.
This recipe follows the nutritional guidelines. It provides grain, meat dairy and a fruit.
I found this recipe at http://www.familyfun.com/
Sandwich on a Stick

Ingredients:
Bread
Cheese
Lunch meat (1/2 inch thick)
Grape tomatoes
Lettuces
Pickles
Olives
1. Cut up cubes of bread, cheese, and lunch meat.

2. Slide the cube of bread onto a skewer with the other ingredients followed by another cube of bread.
3. Set out a side of mayo, mustard, or another type of dipping sauce
Serve with a fruit cup
this recipe is fun to make and fun to eat. It meets all the nutritional needs for a nutritious meal. It has a serving of fruits, grains, dairy, meats, and vegetables
I found recipe at http://www.familyfun.com/
Another strategy to enjoy cooking is have some of your child’s friends come over on a weekend  there could be a little cooking class or the child’s friends can bring a dish they already prepared but, it has to be healthy. As parents you can teach the child the food groups of the pyramid and let them put a healthy menu together with your help.

References:

Briggs (2009).Good Nutrition and Eating Habits, Retrieved April 1, 2012 from http://ebriggs.blogspot.com/2009/04/good-nutrition-and-eating-habits.html

Robertson, C. (2010). Safety, Nutrition, and Health in Early Education (4^th Ed) Belmont: Wadsworth/CENGAGE/Learning.