Nutrition and Children

FOOD NEEDS OF CHILDREN Good nutrition during Good nutrition during childhood is extremely important for proper growth and development. childhood is extremely important for proper growth and development. As children grow and develop, food requirements change. As children grow and develop, food requirements change. –After infancy appetite slows –Pre-school children growth levels off –Rapid growth from age 6 through adolescence Copyright © Notice: The materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of The Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas Tech University.

FOOD NEEDS OF CHILDREN Children’s Food Problems Children’s Food Problems –Children like to assert their independence especially in their eating habits—patience is required »Food Jags—children may demand a particular food at every meal for several weeks then reject the food »Fondness for sweets—children have no natural preference for sweets—parents should avoid using sweets for rewards »Rejection of vegetables—children will eat what parents eat—hide vegetables in foods such as salsa, zucchini bread, and pasta sauces Copyright © Notice: The materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of The Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas Tech University.

FOOD NEEDS OF CHILDREN Guidelines for children’s food Guidelines for children’s food –Eat about the same time each day –Serve nutritious snacks –Make servings small –Plan a quiet time before and after meal –Make mealtime special –Give much time for eating –Set a good example –Conceal your own likes/dislikes –Introduce new foods one at a time Copyright © Notice: The materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of The Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas Tech University.

FOOD NEEDS OF CHILDREN SNACKS SNACKS –Snacks comprise 1/3 of the children’s calories –Snacks should come from the MyPyramid food groups –Make snacks count Copyright © Notice: The materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of The Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas Tech University.

Food Needs of Children Developing Good Food Habits Be a good role model! Be a good role model! Involve children in healthy selections Involve children in healthy selections Let children help with meals Let children help with meals Take children shopping Take children shopping Eat a variety of food Avoid cooking individual meals according to whims Avoid fighting over food—be firm, but not nagging Never outlaw certain foods Copyright © Notice: The materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of The Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas Tech University.