Section 4: Healthy Food and Nutrition

•           Summarize why good nutrition and eating habits are so important to children in each age group.

Nutrition is vital part for children energy to learn, grow and be active. Proper nutrition is essential because it decreases the risk for health problems, being overweight and obese.

For infant good nutrition provides the ability to fight off any sicknesses and disease while they are still infant. Omega-3 is good for the body composure, brain and nervous system which can be found in milk, eggs, butter, avocado and coconut These are not appropriate foods for the infant. 

It is crucial for an infant’s development from birth to six months to receive proper nutrition from breast milk or formula due to their organs inability to digest solid foods. Even infants can communicate when they are hungry or full through grunting, fussing, spitting out milk/formula, or even falling asleep (Robertson, 2016). 

. Iron is needed for the motor and behavior development which we found in food such as potatoes, chicken and greens. Infants ages five to   six months need zinc, vitamin B 12  and Iodine for healthy thyroid.

During the toddler years, it is time for transition between 12 to 24 months. These young children feel secure eating familiar foods, but if encouraged to explore, they may try new foods (Robertson ,2016). This is when they learn eating table food and accepting new food, taste and texture. Therefore, during this time they're not drinking breastmilk and formula and they are Toddlers are to rely more on eating solid foods and introducing different fruits, vegetables, and nuts is key. Toddlers require 1,000 to 1,400 calories per day. They learn the different textures and tastes through table foods as well (“Nutrition Through Variety”, 2017, para 2).  Milk is important for a dollar vitamin D and calcium which helps build strong bones. Milk is also good for brain development and normal growth during this age group.

How preschoolers eat today will have an impact on their health throughout their adolescent and adult hood. As children reach the preschool stage a number of development changes have occurred that make feeding and nourishing a much easier task ( Robertson, 2016). Proper nutrition will help them grow, develop, feel good about themselves and do well academically. Healthy nutrition and eating habit reduce the risk of Children having cancer bone disease, strokes, heart disease and childhood diabetes in the future.

•           Explain why adults should actively help children develop healthy eating habits and at least two ways this can be accomplished.

Sometimes it's impossible to be probably in children to eat healthy there for starting on Friday will be the best way to do some introducing him to you too healthy foods to start off a health relationship for a lifetime. Children who eat well and enjoy good food in early childhood education environments may change their outlook on food selection as well as their nutritional status ( Robertson ,2016) Encourage children to help them eat healthy by being a role model. I don't have impact any strong willed on children because they look up to them that the children see you eating fruits and greens instead of snap unhealthy foods. Also, discussed the taste of healthy foods. In class, you can tell them to add vegetables to stews for example. With mashed potatoes are a slice an apple with peanut butter on it.

•           Provide three nutritious recipes that family members can prepare with preschoolers and explain the nutritional value of each.  Offer strategies and suggestions to make cooking together an enjoyable learning experience for children.

When the families are more educated they are more willing to participate in planning and encouraging their children to try more variety and new foods ( Robertson, 2016). Get children involved in cooking in the kitchen. They can watch you measure the ingredients. When doing, this explain to them different terms teaspoon, cup and table spoons. When they get older let them start pouring or scooping the ingredients into the measuring bowls. Teach them how to level ingredients by using a metal spatula at eye level.

Nutrition value:

Fats 2.2 g

Potassium 605 mg

Carbohydrates 32 g

Fiber 4g

Sugar 23 g

Protein 6 g

Calorie 316

Rainbow Toast

Preparation 10 minutes

Serves 4 servings    

A fun fruit toast with cream cheese, honey and all the colors of the rainbow!

INGREDIENTS

2 pieces whole wheat bread toasted

1/3 cup plain cream cheese

2 teaspoons honey divided

5 large strawberries sliced

2 mandarin orange divided

1 banana sliced

12 green grapes

INSTRUCTIONS:

•           Spread the cream cheese over each piece of toast.

•           Then drizzle with 1 teaspoon honey over the toast.

•           Spread the fruit in a rainbow pattern: red, yellow, orange, blue, green, purple.

Serve and enjoy!

(All recipes, 2017)

Banana smoothie

1 bananas

2 cup of grapefruit juice

2 cups lemon sherbet

1 cup crushed ice

Ready in 10 minutes

•           Puree bananas in a blender or food processor.

•           In a gallon pitcher combine pureed bananas, grapefruit juice, lemon sherbet and crushed ice.

•           Stir and serve.

(All recipes, 2017)

Rainbow Veggie Kabobs

1. purple peppers

1. purple baby carrots 

1. purple cauliflower

1. olives

1. green bell peppers

1. broccoli florets

1. zucchini

1. cherry tomatoes

1. yellow summer squash

1. orange

•           Start by threading one or two blue and violet veggies onto the skewer pushing them part way down.

•           Next thread on green, orange, yellow, and red veggies.

Serving as desired:  With veggie dip or hummus.

(Two Healthy Kitchens, 2016)

  

Reference:

Two Healthy Kitchens, (2016)

http://twohealthykitchens.com/2016/06/09/rainbow-veggie-kabobs

Robertson, C. (2016). Safety  Nutrition and Health in Early Education, 6th Edition.

http://www.superhealthykids.com/rainbow-toast/