Section 4: Healthy Food and Nutrition

Healthy Food and Nutrition

Carsedra Glass

EDUC 1005: Child Health, Safety, and Nutrition

Professor Eissler

9/24/17

“Adequate nutrition during childhood is necessary to maintain overall health and nurture growth.” (Robertson, C., 2016) Good nutrition as we have studied in our reading is key in the growth of children.  Good eating habits imparted to childhood can carry into adulthood, so teaching them to eat healthy young will help them stay healthy their entire life.  Good nutrition and eating habits help to promote healthy weight, reduced chronic disease risk, and overall health.  It also helps promote healthy brain development in children; malnutrition can hinder a child’s ability to grasp basic skills.

Healthy eating can prevent obesity in children that can lead go many health issues. “There are now cases of type two diabetes and high cholesterol in young school children.” (Davis, S., 2017) If kids are taught good nutrition habits by parents/teachers, they are less likely to overeat and become overweight. Teaching children to eat fruits and vegetables daily and limit their sugar intake can help prevent obesity.

Nutritional needs vary by age, so teachers/caregivers need to consider when it comes to food choices. For instance, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers all have different needs.  Infants who are from zero to 6 months, their bodies can only accommodate breast milk or formula.  At their age, their organs haven’t developed to the point where they digest foods that are more solid.  “At birth, newborns cannot chew or use their tongues to push food” and “their kidneys are too immature to handle the waste of solid food, and their digestive systems cannot yet handle the nutrients from solid foods.”  (Robertson, C., 2016, pp 278).  For toddlers, they no longer need breast milk or formula, they have graduated to solid foods.  When picking foods to serve to make sure they are getting enough grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy and protein to meet their nutritional needs.  Toddlers are discovering foods they like or don’t like so it may take some doing to get them to eat foods that are nutritious. To help overcome that, try to control when and where they eat and make them a part of the preparation process. Preschoolers, which are 3 to 5-year-olds, may have unique dietary needs. They require less food than older children and more than younger children, and their size and level of activity will be a factor as well.  They like toddlers still need to eat grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and protein daily.

 

As adults whether teacher/caregivers or parents, it is important that we help children develop healthy eating habits.  We are examples to them on how we should live, and the learn from us on what healthy eating is. To accomplish this as a teacher, we can set up an environment that fosters healthy eating.  Children need an environment that supports their growth and makes eating a time where they are nourished.  Have the children help in preparing the food or snacks if possible, explain to them during the process the health benefits of the healthy foods.  Another way is to sit and eat with the children; this can engage them and make mealtime more interesting, it can also be an opportunity to see an example of good eating habits.

A way to help promote healthy eating at home is it to send home recipes for each child’s family to try as a fun assignment.  You can find recipes for foods the student's families typically eat or that are a part of their culture.  When preparing the meals, allow the child or children the chances to help in the preparation and cooking if it’s safe.  Once they see that the food is fun to prepare maybe, they will want to eat it knowing they are eating something they helped to make.

Recipes to try:

Oven fried chicken tenders:

These aren’t deep fried like most chicken tender which lowers the cholesterol; plain low-fat yogurt which is healthier than regular yogurt, but still a good source of calcium for healthy bones and teeth. Whole grain crackers which have iron and zinc, helps the immune system and proper growth.

1/2 sleeve (about 20) whole-grain salted crackers, pulsed in a food processor until fine (about 1/2 cup)

2 1/2 cups corn cereal flakes, pulsed in a food processor to fine crumbs (about 1/2 cup)

Two tablespoons sesame seeds

3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Two egg whites

1 cup low-fat, plain yogurt

One tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon salt

Olive oil cooking spray

Four medium sized skinless chicken breasts and four skinless chicken thighs rinsed and patted dry (about 3 1/2 pounds chicken)

Fruit Salad:

Fruit salad can be a healthy option as a dessert for after dinner; fruits are a great source of potassium, which helps with metabolism, protein, and carbohydrates. Vitamin C from the citrus fruits which have antioxidants that fight disease and help in healing wounds.

     2 Granny Smith apples, cored and cut into 1/2-inch chunks

     1 pound honeydew melon, cut into 1/2-inch chunks

     1 (20-ounce) can pineapple rings in syrup, drained and cut into small wedges

     1/2 cup dried cherries

     1/2 cup plain yogurt

     1/2 cup cream of coconut

      Pinch of salt

Cheesy Eggs in the Hole:

For healthy breakfast alternative, this can be made and can take the place of a beacon, egg and cheese sandwich. The whole grain boule or pullman loaf is a good source of iron and zinc, helps the immune system and proper growth. Then eggs are a great source Vitamin A, D and Riboflavin, good vision, strong bones and healthy skin, eyes and clear vision.

Four slices bacon (about 4 ounces)

One tablespoon unsalted butter

Four 1/2-inch-thick slices of bread from a whole-grain boule or pullman loaf

Four large eggs

Four tablespoons grated Parmesan

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

References:

Robertson, C. (2016). Safety, nutrition, and health in early education (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.

Davis, S. (2017, June 13). What Is the Importance of Good Nutrition For Kids? Retrieved September 24, 2017, from http://www.livestrong.com/article/45375-importance-good-nutrition-kids/

Healthy Recipes Kids Can Make. (2017, August 28). Retrieved September 25, 2017, from http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/packages/recipes-for-kids/healthy-meals-for-kids/healthy-recipes-kids-can-make

Our Best Healthy Recipes for Kids and Families. (2017, January 26). Retrieved September 25, 2017, from http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/photos/our-best-healthy-recipes-for-kids-and-families