Section 4: Health and Nutrition

Good nutrition and eating habits are important to children from birth to adolescence because the various nutrients that are needed must be ingested in a healthy routine in order to maintain a rapidly growing body. As a rule, the basic food pyramid at MyPyramid.gov, which is typically used for children aged 6 - 11, can be easily modified to fit a preschooler's recommended diet. According to Cathy Robertson in Safety, Nutrition, and Health in Early Education, "MyPyramid for Kids was created to help children improve their food intake choices and the amounts to eat to help them meet nutritional guidelines" (p. 219). Robinson adds the recommended daily diet MyPyramid suggests should include 6 ounces of grains "with 3 ounces being whole grains. . . 2 1/2 cups of vegetables. . . 1 1/2 cups of fruits. . . 3 cups milk or equivalent. . . 5 ounces of protein. . . and know sources of fats so that they can make healthier choices from fish, nuts and vegetable oils" (p. 219, 221, 223).

It is important that adults in the early educational field actively help children develop healthy eating habits because children can develop conditions that range from malnutrition to childhood obesity and suffer from various ailments associated with both these conditions. Two ways that an adult can help to develop healthy eating habits is by providing a quality program and by educating parents about the necessity of nutrition. A director in an early childhood educational program should follow the state mandated recommended nutritional information while providing the proper food groups in their proper recommended proportions. It would be helpful to work with a nutritionist to devise a menu that is balanced, offering a variety of healthily prepared foods that differ in color, texture and various states of preparation. As part of the parent meetings, home visits or parent conferences, an instructional nutrition lesson can be provided the parents which showcase the preparation of a healthy and well-balanced meal or snack.

Three recipes that can be a part of a healthy and well balanced meal or snack include turkey and cheese rollups, celery and peanut-butterflies and a smoothie. The first way a parent can make the consumption of healthy meals easy and fun for children is by getting them involved. A child who helps to prepare the meal can be educated about the ingredients while creating an interest in new foods, increasing the probability of tasting and enjoying. This time also serves as a great way to interact and spend time with a child, making the meal or snack time a family experience instead of something on go.

In order to make the turkey and cheese rollup for a hearty preschool lunch, you will need:
(1) whole wheat tortilla
(1) slice of turkey breast
(1) slice of cheddar cheese and
(1) leaf of dark green lettuce.

To make this, place a slice of turkey breast, cheddar cheese and the leaf of lettuce onto the whole wheat tortilla and simply rollup. This hearty meal, coupled with an 8 ounce glass of water will provide a child with one serving of enriched grains, 2 ounces of protein, one serving of a milk alternative and one serving of vegetables.

To make this recipe interactive, a batch of tortillas can be made at home by mixing 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tbsp canola oil and 3/4 cup water. Combining these ingredients to a dough, kneading it and then separating it into 12 equal pieces which are rolled flat and cooked until browned will yield 12 tortillas that aren't process or contain excess amounts of oils or preservatives. Making the tortillas also offers an opportunity to have your child knead the dough and roll it out which will aid in the development of large motor skills while providing an interactive activity for the child and parent.

Another recipe, which can be made as a snack are celery and peanut butterflies.
You will need:
(1) rib of celery - washed and dried
(2) tablespoons of creamy peanut butter
(6) raisins and
(6) pretzels.

To make this, cut the washed and dried celery into thirds. Place an equal dollop of peanut butter on each rib of celery, allowing a child to spread the peanut butter inside the celery. Then, place two raisins at one end of the celery rib and press them into the peanut butter to create eyes. Press two pretzels into the peanut butter, rounded sides out, at a diagonal angle in the middle of each rib of celery to create wings. This will allow the child to have an interactive experience while making a healthy snack. This healthy snack accompanied with an 6 ounce glass of milk provides one serving of protein, ones serving of vegetables and one serving of milk. The recipe may be altered by providing colorful dried fruit, such as craisins and dried pineapples to decorate the body of the butterfly.

Another simple recipe that can be part of a healthy breakfast is a Raspberry Banana Tofu smoothie. You will need:
(1) 12-ounce package of silken tofu
(1) cup fat free soy milk
(1) banana
(1) cup raspberries and
(1/4) cup orange juice.

This healthy smoothie yields 4 servings and provides a full serving of fruit in each 6 ounce glass. This recipe also provides a half-serving of a milk alternative and offers a crafty way to sneak a full serving of protein for a child who may be a picky eater. This recipe is simple and with hardly any prep time, is a great way to provide a healthy start to day without feeling the rush of preparing a full breakfast. Simply blending the listed ingredients in a blender until smooth will provide a healthy breakfast.

Have a Blessed day!

**References**

All Recipes - Raspberry Banana Tofu Shake. (n.d.). All recipes: complete resource for recipes and cooking tips. Retrieved April 4, 2010, from http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Raspberry-Banana-Tofu-Shake/Detail.aspx

Chevaux, K. (n.d.). PreschoolRock.com - Preschool Recipe - Homemade Tortillas. PreschoolRock.com - Preschool Nutrition. Retrieved April 4, 2010, from http://nutrition.preschoolrock.com/index.php/recipes_for_preschoolers/preschool-recipe---homemade-tortillas

Easy kids meals ideas, tips and recipes to make life a little simpler with kids.. (n.d.). Kids Cooking Activities helps teach kids to cook while they have fun learning.. Retrieved April 4, 2010, from http://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/easy-kids-meals.html

Robertson, C. (2009). Safety, Nutrition and Health in Early Education (4 ed.). Albany:Delmar Cengage Learning.