Today’s Re-Powering Information – Children spend the first year of their life on a liquid diet. Then we introduce them to puréed veggies then mashed fruit, then some type of carb (bisket, cheerio’s) and ultimately solid food. By the time a child is two they are on their way to developing eating habits that will last a lifetime. As parents we formulate their feelings about food. If we are insecure or always on a “diet” they pick up on that. If we use food for bribery (pick up your toys and you can have a brownie) or rewards (you got an A on your report, lets get some ice cream) or socialization (every time they walk into the movies they expect popcorn and soda) or for punishment (if you don’t finish your homework you are not getting dessert) and so on. By the time they are 3 children absolutely know how to control, manipulate and sell parents on the food they want to eat (and don’t’ want to eat).
We certainly can’t blame the children for wanting sweeter and sweeter foods. The non-foods they are consuming (sports drinks, lunchables, fruit rollups, etc) are highly addicting – more addicting than cocaine and the more they have, the more they want. The US Department of agrigculture came up with a new food guide pyramid to help parents with creating healthy eating goals for children. It’s a start, but remember to grab hold of yoru common sense when it comes to food and that children are naturally curious and are also looking for boundaries. Their bodies like yours are amazing and will respond to what ever you put in it (good or bad).
New food pyramid designed to help parents
A sneak peek at the food pyramid designed for preschoolers
By Janet Helm | Special to the Chicago Tribune
October 22, 2008
Get ready preschoolers, you're getting your own food pyramid.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will officially unveil MyPyramid for Preschoolers at the American Dietetic Association's Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo in Chicago this weekend, but we're getting an early look.
Brian Wansink, executive director of USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, will introduce this new nutrition tool as part of an ongoing campaign called "Project M.O.M." that he has spearheaded since joining USDA last year.
"We have refocused our general advice to everyone and are now honing in on the nutritional gatekeepers who purchase and prepare most of the family food," Wansink said. He believes educating these nutritional gatekeepers—moms, dads or other caregivers—is the most efficient way to transform the way Americans eat.
The new MyPyramid for Preschoolers is intended to help parents make better food choices for preschool children, aged 2 to 5 years—a critical time when food habits and taste preferences are established. Keeping tabs on calories is a bigger reality today than ever before, considering that nearly 15 percent of preschoolers in this country are overweight.
What you'll find by visiting the new preschool section on MyPyramid.gov is not simply a new cartoon-like version of the iconic pyramid for adults. Instead, you'll discover a comprehensive how-to guide on children's nutrition that may have you rethinking your current approach.
"We have not just provided the 'what,' we've really taken it to the next level," Wansink said, referring to the educational style of the materials. "We're showing parents exactly how you do this."
Indeed, the information on the Web site is about as concrete as you can get. If you're concerned that your child is eating too little or too much, or if you're simply not sure what counts as a serving, you can customize a pyramid to get detailed information about what and how much to feed your child based on age, gender and activity level. You'll even find kid-friendly meal and snack ideas.
Several real-life strategies are provided to help parents introduce new foods to preschoolers—a notoriously picky bunch who often stick to a beige, chicken nuggets-dominated diet. You'll find lots of tips for encouraging your child to eat a variety of vegetables, including seeing you eating and enjoying them too.
Perhaps most compelling is a section that focuses on how to talk to your preschooler about food. Unknowingly, many parents may be doing more harm than good when they coerce their kids into eating certain foods or use food as a reward, Wansink said.
In this clever section titled "phrases that help and hinder," you can learn to reframe your food discussions to be more positive. For example, instead of enforcing a clean plate rule, sample words are provided to help your child recognize when he or she is full, such as "Is your stomach still making its hungry growling noise?" Instead of using phrases that teach your child to eat for your approval or love, such as "If you do not eat one more bite, I will be mad," alternative phrases are offered to help your child try something new by pointing out the sensory qualities of food, such as "These radishes are very crunchy!"
The benefits of eating together as a family is a major focus of the initiative and ideas are offered to make family mealtime more enjoyable and less stressful, including recipes for quick, nutritious and economical meals. Sample substitutions are provided to help your preschooler eat less fat and added sugars. These "extras" can add more calories than your child needs.
After the unveiling this weekend, you can access MyPyramid for Preschoolers and related links at mypyramid.gov.
Recipe of the Day
Breakfast Pizza
This one might be fun to make with kids this weekend!
2 whole-wheat English muffins
2 free-range eggs
2 slices turkey bacon, cut into small pieces
1/3 cup low-fat mozzarella cheese, grated
4 tbsp. pizza sauce from the jar
2 tbsp. onion, minced
2 tbsp. green pepper, minced
2 tsp. olive oil
Preheat oven to 425°F. Place olive oil in sauté pan over medium heat. Add onion, green pepper and turkey bacon pieces and fry for a few minutes. Add eggs and lightly scramble.
Split and toast the English Muffins. Spread 1 tbsp. of pizza sauce on each muffin half. Spoon the scrambled egg mixture evenly on each half. Top with mozzarella cheese. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes until cheese is melted.
Quote of the Day
Without enthusiasm you are doomed to a life of mediocrity but with it you can accomplish miracles."
Og Mandino
Your friend in fitness,
Kelli Calabrese
www.KelliCalabrese.com
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