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Food pyramid offers healthy eating strategies for preschoolers
The ages of 2-5 years old are whenfood habits and taste preferences are established. That's why a new food pyramiddesigned specifically for preschool children is so important. MyPyramid for Preschoolers isintended to help parents make better food choices for children. These choices are more important thanever, especially when you consider that nearly 15 percent of preschoolers inthis country are overweight. By accessing www.mypyramid.gov parents can findreal-life strategies for introducing new foods, encouraging children to eat avariety of vegetables and talking to kids about food. A section titled "phrases that helpand hinder," teaches parents to reframe food discussions to be more positive. Unknowingly, many parents may be doing more harm than goodwhen they coerce their kids into eating certain foods or using food as areward. The benefits of eating together as afamily are a major focus of the new pyramid as well. Ideas are offered to make family mealtime more enjoyable andless stressful, including recipes for quick, nutritious and economical mealsand snacks. Other features of the MyPyramid forPreschoolers website include customized eating plans, growth charts, advice ondeveloping healthy eating habits, physical activity and food safety. The new food pyramid and its websiteoffer much more than calorie-counting charts. They offer sound advice thatcould last a lifetime.
WendyKane is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator in the BackusHospital Diabetes Management Center. This advice should not replace the advicefrom your physician. Email Ms. Kane and all the Healthy Living columnists at healthyliving@wwbh.org or comment ontheir blog at www.healthydocs.blogspot.com