New Food Pyramid Is Aimed at Kids
Parents Better Equipped to Expand Their Children’s Healthy Diet
Dec 18, 2008
According to a recent news releases issued by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, the new federal government food pyramid for preschoolers may help parents deal with picky eating problems, especially as children are introduced to new kinds of foods during Christmas meals.
The MyPyramid for Preschoolers interactive Web site offers individualized nutrition guidance to meet the needs of children aged 2 to 5, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP).
“This is a great tool for all parents of preschoolers but particularly those of finicky eaters. It's loaded with great ideas and suggestions for families so they can help their kids eat a more varied and nutritious diet," said CNPP executive director Brian Wansink.
MyPyramid for Preschoolers Tips to Help Parents Deal With Finicky Eaters Include:
- Set reasonable limits for the start and end of a meal. When you see your child is no longer interested in the meal, excuse the child from the table.
- Encourage your child to try new foods, but don't lecture or force your child to eat.
- Talk about fun and happy things as part of an overall effort to make mealtimes stress-free.
- Cook together. Encourage preschoolers to help you prepare meals and snacks.
MyPyramid for Preschoolers Web site Tools also Include:
- MyPyramid Plan, where users can create a customized eating plan.
- Growth During the Preschool Years answers parents’ questions about their children's growth.
- Developing Healthy Eating Habits explains to parents and caregivers how to help children develop healthy eating habits.
- Physical Activity outlines how to encourage preschoolers to be active.
- Information on food safety.
- Sample Meal and Snack Patterns help translate the MyPyramid Plan into individual meals and snacks.
“In addition to the broad spectrum of topic areas covered on this site, are the interactive components, including a customized MyPyramid Plan that can be printed and posted on the refrigerator door,” Wansink said in the news release.
MyPyramid offers personalized eating plans, interactive tools to help you plan and assess food choices, and advice to help you:
- Make smart choices from every food group.
- Find your balance between food and physical activity.
- Get the most nutrition out of your calories.
- Stay within your daily calorie needs.
- Food and physical activity choices each day affect people’s health.
Tips for Healthy Eating
These tips and ideas are a starting point to help parents get started on planning a healthy diet.
- Make half your grains whole
- Vary your veggies
- Focus on fruit
- Eat calcium rich foods
- Go lean with protein
- Find a balance between food and physical activity
- Keep food safe to eat
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