In our call last week, Secretary Vilsack shared that a new Food Pyramid is planned to be unveiled later this year to reflect the findings of many different studies, and to encourage, or course, healthier eating. Here’s the big surprise, many active parents don’t realize that the pyramid has changed since we were in school.
While its true that the pyramid will be changing, that doesn’t stop the need to learn healthy eating in the mean time. The Department of Agriculture created several great webpages to teach children and families basics of healthy eating, starting with the pyramid.
My Pyramid for Kids includes an interactive game where kids ages 6-11 race through space learning about healthy eating. Also are links for parents, a worksheet, a coloring page and teacher resources.
The Preschoolers Pyramid page was built for 2-5 year olds. On this page you and your kids can create a “pyramid plan” for your kid, based on his age and amount of daily activity. Parents can also learn ways to be more healthy with your children. Note that this page is not for Preschoolers to play but for parents to learn how to better help their children.
There’s also a page for moms and moms-to-be which focuses on pregnancy and breastfeeding health. Easy to read, its worth checkign out if not for review, than to answer quick questions if you fall into either of these catagories.
What’s the point? Well, if we want our children to make wise choices in eating, its going to have to start at home. Parents need to make sure that their children’s plates are colorful, serving the correct number of grains in relation to dairy. And we need to teach our children, outside of school, what’s important.
Additionally, if your schools aren’t teaching your children about healthy eating, its your job to encourage the School Directors to put health back into the curriculum. And there’s no better way to do that than to come armed with knowledge, as well as suggestions for teaching.
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I agree the teaching needs to begin at home. As Jamie Oliver says, we need to teach kids 10 life saving recipes they can use for life. One problem with the mypyramid is that it still emphasizes so many grains… a foundation for diabetes. Another is this 1980s focus on low-fat everything. We need fat to feel full, to absorb minerals, and to line our nervous system for good conduction. Growing brains especially need fat!
Thanx for the great post. I would like to know more on the safety precaution that we can or cannot do during pregnancy…
I have a food suggestion for pregnancy, have a look at my site…click here
I agree with Alix, the pyramid really isn’t good advice, unfortunately. Too many grains, the whole low-fat fallacy, but at least it emphasizes variety, so at least there’s that. I didn’t know the pyramid was changing; I hope it’s for the better.
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