The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, an organization of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was established in 1994 to improve the nutrition and well-being of Americans. The USDA’s food guidance system is comprised of the ChooseMyPlate.gov awareness symbol (shown left) and other materials to help Americans make healthy food choices and to be active every day.
While ChooseMyPlate.gov is a United States initiative, Bermudians and other nations alike can benefit from the useful nutritional information, and use the Ten Tips Nutrition Education Series to raise awareness on the benefits of making wise food choices.
The tips and ideas provided in the series are a starting point only, but contain a wealth of suggestions that can help you get started toward a healthy diet for you, your children, and other family members. Print out the tips and post them on a refrigerator, or school or office bulletin boards for a perfect reminder when choosing what to eat.
When it comes to kids’ nutritional habits, it is important to remember: You are the most important influence on your child. You can do many things to help your children develop healthy eating habits for life. Offering a variety of foods helps children get the nutrients they need from every food group. They will also be more likely to try new foods and to like more foods. When children develop a taste for many types of foods, it’s easier to plan family meals. Cook together, eat together, talk together, and make mealtime a family time!
Here’s four of our favourite tips for children from ChooseMyPlate.gov
Be a Good Food Role Model
Try new foods yourself. Describe its taste, texture, and smell. Offer one new food at a time. Serve something your child likes along with the new food. Offer new foods at the beginning of a meal, when your child is very hungry. Avoid lecturing or forcing your child to eat.
Show by Example
Eat vegetables, fruits, and whole grains with meals or as snacks. Let your child see that you like to munch on raw vegetables.
Go Food Shopping Together
Grocery shopping can teach your child about food and nutrition. Discuss where vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, and protein foods come from. Let your children make healthy choices.
Get Creative in the Kitchen
Cut food into fun and easy shapes with cookie cutters. Name a food your child helps make. Serve “Janie’s Salad” or “Jackie’s Sweet Potatoes” for dinner. Encourage your child to invent new snacks. Make your own trail mixes from dry whole-grain, low-sugar cereal and dried fruit.
DOWNLOAD ALL 10 ROLE MODEL TIPS
More tips for healthy kids in the 10 Tips Educational Series:
Here’s some of our favourite tips for all ages from ChooseMyPlate.gov
Balance Calories
- Enjoy your food, but eat less.
- Avoid oversized portions.
Foods to Increase
- Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
- Make at least half your grains whole grains.
- Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.
Foods to Reduce
- Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals and choose the foods with lower numbers.
- Drink water instead of sugary drinks.
Visit ChooseMyPlate.gov for the entire Ten Tips Nutrition Education Series, and for more useful tips and guidelines.
Choose a change that you can make today, and move toward a healthier you!
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
