How Do We Help Make

Children (Ages 2-7) Aware of

Healthy Nutritional Practices?

By: Maria de Jesus Rocha

Nutritional Needs

Children between ages 2-3, require about 1000 to 1400 calories

per day. Between 4-8, require 1400-1600 calories per day.
Children need a variety of foods, such as: daily helpings of
grains, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and meat or other
protein sources.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are important in a childs diet
because they provide essential vitamins and micronutrients
that are required for development of the brain, bones and in
general.
The American Dietetic Association recommends that after the
age of 2, children drink low-fat milk rather than whole milk.
There are also food that children should not eat (or limited
quantities), such as sweets and high sodium foods.

Eating Habits

Many preschoolers know what foods they do like, and which

they dislike. They are usually suspicious of new foods, and so
new foods should be introduced gradually.
Taste, texture, or appearance of certain foods can form a
lasting negative impression.
Young children can become picky eaters. They go through
food jags when they only want to eat one particular food, or
eat almost nothing at all.
All of this is considered normal behavior, but it can become a
bit of a challenge during dinner time.
In most cultures, sharing food and eating together is a powerful
socializing experience.

Importance of
Healthy Nutritional
Practices

Healthy nutritional practices sets your child up for a

healthy future of healthy habits and routines, and promote

growth.
Having a healthy diet will help your child's brain develop
and grow healthy. Your child will become more alert in
school and learn more effectively.
If bad eating habits come about, they can be hard to
change when theyve become comfortable routines. By
keeping healthy foods in your pantries and unhealthy
foods out, it will make it easier to promote better eating.
Bad eating habits can lead to Malnutrition: Undernutrition
or over nutrition, which can lead to obesity.

MyPlate

MyPlate was introduced to replace the food pyramid.

MyPlate emphasizes on the consumption of fruits,

vegetables, whole grains, protein from animal or nonanimal sources, and low-fat dairy products.
It is a simpler way to teach our children how to put foods
into 3 categories.
These 3 categories balance our calorie intake, helps us
understand what foods we need to eat more of and what
foods to reduce.

MyPlate

Grains are divided into refined

grains and whole grains.
MyPlate suggests that children eat
dark green and red or orange
vegetables and have beans and
dry peas daily.
Children should eat a variety of
fruits daily.
For the dairy component, children
should eat calcium rich food and
choose low-fat or fat free types of
dairy products.
Children should also eat some form
of lean proteins daily.

Choose MyPlate

Suggestions for
Teachers

Many families are unaware of the importance of having a

balanced diet.
Families should be supported with informational materials
about good dietary practices and help them locate useful
resources.
By teaching your children about the importance of nutrition
will help them make healthier eating choices and habits.
Provide cooking experiences, include healthy food in their
dramatic play area, and having visitors from the community
to help.

References

Hauser-Cram, Nugent, Thies & Travers (2014). The

development of children and adolescents. Wiley.
Robertson, C. (2010). Safety, nutrition, and health in
early education (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth
Cengage Learning.