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Nutrition for Young Children. Nancy Hiner, RD, LD, CDE. Outline. Why is Nutrition Important? Eating Behaviors What Foods Should Young Children Eat? How Can Childcare Providers Teach about Nutrition? Questions. Why is Nutrition Important?.
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Nutrition for Young Children Nancy Hiner, RD, LD, CDE
Outline • Why is Nutrition Important? • Eating Behaviors • What Foods Should Young Children Eat? • How Can Childcare Providers Teach about Nutrition? • Questions
Why is Nutrition Important? Kentucky is 4th in the nation for obese 2-5 year olds (16% or >330,000 kids). 1 in 3 low-income preschool children are obese or overweight before their 5th birthday. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html
Why is Nutrition Important? High Blood Pressure ● Asthma ● Type 2 Diabetes ● High Cholesterol ● Sleep Apnea ● GERD/Reflux ● Fatty Liver Disease ● Gallstones ● Discrimination ● Poor Self-Esteem ● Joint Problems ● Social Isolation ● Lower Educational Attainment ● Constipation ● Forearm Fracture ● Back Pain ● Glomerulosclerosis ● Precocious Puberty ● Insulin Resistance
Why is Nutrition Important? • Provides Energy and Nutrients for Growth and Development • Promotes Healing & Immune System • Relationships: Social time & Closeness • Physical and Emotional Comfort • Engages sense of taste, smell, sight, touch, hearing • Fine Motor Skills: Eating, serving, food handling and prep
Behaviors Eating
What are the KEY MESSAGES? • For Infants: • Breastmilk is best. • If bottle fed, always hold the baby during feeing. Never give bottle to baby in crib, swing or other carrier. • Solids can wait. Experts recommend waiting until 6 months.
6-8 months Learning to chew better Trying more textures Use fingers to pick up Grabs a spoon Grunting or other sounds 8-12 months Pick up pieces &bring to mouth Drink from sippy cup Reach for & point to food More independence Drink from a small cup Behavioral Milestones • 10-12 months • Easily brings • spoon to mouth • Wants to feed • self • Holds cup with • both hands • May drink from • straw
What are the KEY MESSAGES? For 6-12 month olds: • Start solids: one new food at a time only. • Always feed solids with a spoon. NEVER put in bottle. • May give 100% juice, no more than ½ cup per day, served in a cup – NOT the bottle. • May give yogurt or cottage cheese. • May start finger foods at 9 months for snacks. • soft, moist foods are best like cooked macaroni, banana slices, peas
What are the KEY MESSAGES? For 12 months-1 year: NEVER use food as rewards/punishments Establish eating schedule Eat together (with friends at school or with family at home) Serve small portions (allow 2nd helpings) Encourage children to eat slowly Serve a VARIETY of HEALTHY OPTIONS Offer foods more than once Wean from bottle Start whole milk
What are the KEY MESSAGES? For 1-2 year olds: • Switch to 2% milk and dairy products* • Continue to reinforce eating schedule • Food “jags” are common • Toddlers won’t starve – they will eat if hungry. • Variety eaten over one week time period is ok. • May give egg whites
Satiety “I’m Full” Cues • Turns head away • Distracted or pays attention to surroundings more • Eating slows down • Clenches mouth shut • Pushes food away or plays with food • Shakes head to say “no more”
Avoid Choking Hazards Bigger than the Tip of the Child’s Thumb Raw vegetables Chunks of meat Fruit with skin Hot dogs Raisins Nuts Popcorn Whole grapes
Great resource on www.choosemyplate.gov Why are kids picky? Their growth pattern changes. They become more independent and want to make their own choices. Keep portions of new foods small Only serve one new food at a time Make sure there is at least one food offered you know the child will eat. Managing Picky Eaters
Teaching Kids About Nutrition • Kitchen Time: wash veggies or set the table • Science:smelling and feeling foods • Art:placemat art, ‘My Favorite Meal’ activity, coloring pages • Music:sing about food (La la la!) • Pretend Play:pretend picnic, grocery store play • Exercising the Mind:“What We Ate for Breakfast” Book, nutrition story books Most Importantly, BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL!!
Questions? Please call if you have any questions: Nancy Hiner (859) 288-2344 Nancyg.hiner@ky.gov