Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children - New Mexico Kids

Build a Healthy Plate With Whole GrainsHow can I encourage children to eat more whole grains?If children are not used to eating whole grains often, introduce them gradually incombination with their favorite foods. Here are some ways to get children excitedabout whole grains:► Mix it up. Try mixing whole- and non-whole-grain foods in your recipes andmeals. Then, gradually increase the amount of whole grains each time you makethem. For example, mix regular and whole-grain pasta or combine brown ricewith white rice in a recipe or as a side dish. Or, start with ½ white and½ whole-wheat-bread sandwiches, and eventually make both sides whole wheat.► Have a whole-grain taste-test. Have children taste-test whole-grain and lower fat,sugar, and sodium versions of their favorite snacks, such as crackers, granolabars, soft pretzels, bagels, and dry cereals. Or, let children sample dishes that usewhole grains as main ingredients, and have children Name That Grain!► Try some fun whole-grain activities and games. Make art out of whole grains, andhave older children identify foods made from whole grains. See “Grain Collage”from Team Nutrition’s Making Nutrition Count http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/graincollage.pdf and “The Grain Game” from the Community NutritionAction Kit. http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/graingame.pdfSupport the MessageWhy Breakfast?Smart Reasons To EatBreakfast…Fuels the body with nutrients. Yourchild might not make up nutrients missed atbreakfast. You might not either.Provides calories (energy) for themorning’s active play.Gets your child ready to learn – athome, school, or day care. Kids learn betterif they eat breakfast. If you eat breakfast, youmay get more done in the morning, too.Helps keep a healthy body weight.Breakfast helps control the urge to nibble oreat too big a lunch. Even with breakfast,young kids may need a small morning snack.Helps kids feel good. Children may getmorning tummy aches if they miss breakfast.These aches are usually hunger pangs.Tastes good! Offer foods your child andfamily enjoy – even if they are not commonfor breakfast.Provided bySmart Ways To MakeBreakfast Successful!Eat breakfast yourself. “Showing” teachesmore than simply “telling.” Your child willfollow what you do.Manage your early morningtime.• Start making breakfast the night before.You might mix the juice, slice fruit, ormake hard-cooked eggs.• Go to bed earlier, so you get up earlier.• Stock your kitchen with quick-to-fixbreakfast foods.Consider your child’s needs.• Encourage variety and help your childfeel in control of breakfast; offer choicesthroughout the week.• Give your child time to wake up. Manykids aren’t hungry right away. Rushingputs pressure on breakfast eating. Wakeup earlier.• Ask your child to help with breakfast –on a morning when you’re not rushing. Itcan be a nice way to start your child’s day.Yours, too!NIBBLES FOR HEALTH 5 Nutrition Newsle ters for Parents of Young Children, USDA, Food and Nutrition Service► Send the message home. Breakfast is a good timeto include whole grains, even on weekends andbusy mornings. Share the Nibbles for Healthtake-home newsletter for parents on breakfasttips and ideas. http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/Nibbles/Nibbles_Newsletter_5.pdf► Enjoy whole grains and children will too. They learnfrom watching you.30Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children: Provider Handbook for the Child and Adult Care Food ProgramBuild a Healthy Plate With Whole Grains • http://www.teamnutrition.usda.gov/library.html