Section
4: Healthy Food and Nutrition
Nathaniel
Genther
Walden University
Instructor: Erin Eissler
Section 4: Healthy Food and Nutrition
Healthy eating habits and good nutrition are essential for
the growth of our children, if they do not have the proper nutrition it could
lead to possible issues that will affect them for a lifetime (Robertson,C.
2016). One issue caused from a lack of
proper nutrition or malnutrition is stunted growth, when the body does not
receive the proper nutrition it begins to devour or metabolize any source of
nutrition in order to provide the body with energy necessary to run. This lack of nutrition can cause the body to
become exhausted easily and susceptible to infections (Robertson,C. 2016).
Luckily for our children we as adults can greatly influence
and facilitate our children’s growth by helping our children develop proper
eating habits. One habit that I have
found particularly helpful is sitting down while eating, this encourages self-discipline
and helps the child feel that they have a meaningful role at mealtime
(Robertson, C. 2016). Sitting while
eating also helps the child know when its meal time such as having specific
zones for eating. This encourages
healthy eating because children learn they are in the same place, a place for
eating, which in turn suggests to the child that is the correct role to play in
the eating zone. Another helpful habit
is table talk, eating is as much a social activity as it is a nutritional
benefit (Robertson,C. 2016). When
children develop the habit of table talk, they are also susceptible to
suggestion such as trying new and interesting foods. This helps the child to develop culture, and
allows for social connections that may bridge difficult eating habits.
Now that we explored the benefits of eating healthy and
habits that help encourage healthy eating.
Lets address some fun recipes that may help your preschooler through
presentation. I like to remind you that
as adults it is our responsibility to provide the nutrition and present that
nutrition for the child. It is the child’s
duty however to decide how much they eat and whether they eat
(Robertson,C.2016). In order to
encourage that eating however we want to present that food in fun and pleasing
manner. Once recipe that I know children
love is the “Toddler Taco Salad” , another is “Turkey Chow Mein Surprise” and “Tuna
Fish Sandwich and Fruit.” All Nutrition facts
come courteously of (fatsecret, 2017). Each
recipe is designed to allow the child to add their own creative flair, this encourages
the child to develop naturally.
Toddler Taco Salad
·
1-2
cups of brown rice
·
½
cup of black or pinto beans
·
½
cup of diced vegetables (kids favorite)
·
½
cup of 1/8” cubes of cheese
·
½
cup of taco meat
·
½
cup of shredded lettuce
·
Taco
Bowl or regular bowl depending on child
Place each food item in separate container, allow for child
to choose what order they may wish to dress their salad.
Although Taco Salads have a higher fat content than most, you
can balance some of that fat out with added items such as I did with pinto
beans and vegetables . Here is a link to
the nutrition value of a Taco Salad
as an over view for 1 ½ cups of taco salad it provides 279 calories and an
almost equal ratio in breakdown Carbohydrates 34%, Fat 46% and Protein 20%.
Turkey Chow Mein
Surprise
·
1-2
Cups of Rice
·
½
cup of Chow Mein (Crunchy)
·
¼
cup of tomato 1/8” diced
·
1/8
cup of diced onion
·
¼
cup of pineapple bits
·
½
cup of Turkey chunks
·
1/8
cup of cherries diced
·
¼
cup of gravy microwaveable
·
¼
cup of cheese
·
Bowl
for your surprise
Like above place in separate containers and allow child to
choose the order the toppings may be placed.
Chow
Mein by its self is a high carbohydrate and high fat diet, almost 50/50,
but with my recipe it drops the ratio quite a bit with the introduction of
dairy, fruits and proteins. Leaving a
very well balanced meal, again the link is placed for you to peruse the
nutritional value.
Tuna Fish Sandwich and Fruit
·
2
slices of bread
·
1
½ cup tuna fish blend
·
1
slice of cheese
·
1
fruit of choice diced
Tuna
Fish Sandwiches are a staple in my home, this is a high protein and carbohydrate
blend, but in just 262 calories from 1 sandwich you receive a very well blended
bang for your buck. I like to place a fruit
option, because it’s just tasty. [My dad used to claim it prevents scurvy] I’m sure there some claim to that statement but
I’m not sure how accurate.
References
Robertson,C.
(2016) Safety, Nutrition, & Health in
Early Education. 6th Edition.
Fatsecret (2017) Recipes Retrieved from “Taco Salad” https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/usda/taco-salad
,”Chow Mein” https://www.fatsecret.com/calories-nutrition/usda/chow-mein-chinese-noodles
and “Tuna Fish” https://www.fatsecret.com/member/mickeymom/meals/71357/tuna+fish+sandwich
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