Feeding The Healthy Grandchild

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Feeding The Healthy Grandchild

• University of Georgia
• Cooperative Extension Service

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Nutrition During Childhood

• Eat a variety of nutritious foods.
• Build a foundation of healthy eating habits.

Grandparents play an important role!
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Food Shouldnt Cause A Battle!
Share the responsibility

• Grandparents are responsible for
• What is served
• When to serve
• Where to serve

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Food Shouldnt Cause A Battle!

• Children are responsible for
• Whether to eat
• How much to eat

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Have a Healthy Grandchild Be A Planner

• Use the Food Guide Pyramid
• Breakfast/Lunch 3 or more food groups
• Dinner (main meal) 4 or more food groups
• Snacks 2 or more food groups

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What Should You Offer?

• Choose lower-in-fat and calorie food choices from
  the food groups
• At least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a
  day
• Limit juices to about 6 ounces (3/4 cup) a day

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What Should You Offer?

• 2-3 cups of milk or yogurt (or other calcium
  sources) every day
• Meat or meat alternatives everyday

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How Much Should You Offer?

• 6 servings sounds like a lot!
• 2 to 3 year olds 1 serving 1 Tablespoon per
  year of age.
• Older children 1 serving 1 slice of bread, ½
  cup cereal.

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Stock Up With Healthy food!

• Limit high-calorie snack foods

• Healthy Snacks
• Fruits-grapes, apples, bananas
• Vegetables-carrots, celery, broccoli
• Pretzels
• Low-fat cheese, light yogurt
• Frozen juice pops

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Provide Sweets and Goodies Occasionally

• Few nutrients, very high in fat and sugar.
• Only occasionally.
• Encourage water and milk
• Avoid using sweets as a reward or punishment

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My Grandchild Is A Picky Eater!

• Encourage new foods but dont force.
• Might take up to 10 exposures!
• Introduce food in a fun way with foods they like.
• Avoid bribing!

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Involve Children in The Kitchen

• Makes food fun!
• A great opportunity to teach nutrition and food
  safety
• Talk about the food

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Be A Role Model

• Adopt healthy eating habits yourself!
• Eat together
• Avoid eating away from the table

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Summary

• Help your grandchildren to build a foundation of
  healthy eating habits now and for the future!
• Offer children a variety of foods from all five
  major food groups.
• Resist the battles over food!
• Create positive food experiences! Make trying new
  food and helping in the kitchen fun.