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Ceres Childcare & Preschool Learning About Nutrition - Projects & Activities Eat A Rainbow Poster This is a really cute book to make with preschoolers but since we wanted to do this as a group activity I just printed one and sectioned out the pages for each child to color. Then we cut and glued to a large piece of paper to make a big poster. Here is the link to the booklet. Eat a Rainbow Booklet Food Pyramid Activity Same concept as above but this time for learning about the food pyramid. Print the food pages, color, and cut. As a group try to determine where each food goes on the pyramid. ( I just drew a blank food pyramid on a large sheet of paper). Green Foods Coloring Sheet Red Foods Coloring Sheet Brown Foods Coloring Sheet Yellow Foods Coloring Page Orange Foods Coloring Page My Plate In 2011, First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack introduced the icon, MyPlate, which has replaced MyPyramid. According to the First Lady, MyPlate will help simplify what foods we should be serving our families at meal time. "When mom or dad comes home from a long day of work, we're already asked to be a chef, a referee, a cleaning crew. So it's tough to be a nutritionist too. But we do have time to take a look at our kids' plates. As long as they're half full of fruits and vegetables, and paired with lean proteins, whole grains and low-fat dairy, we're golden. That's how easy it is." You might be wondering why did it change? The simplified MyPlate has replaced MyPyramid to align with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines. The Federal Government hopes the easy to understand "plate" concept will help consumers make wise food choices and lower obesity rates in this country. The information from the previous MyPyramid is still relevant to consumers - choosing whole grans, lean proteins, low-fat dairy and a variety of fruits and vegetables. With MyPlate, however, consumers can easily identify how to build a healthy meal by filling half their plates with fruits and vegetables. This basic concept will help increase fiber, vitamins, minerals, and lower calories. For more information, nutrition resources and teaching tools, visit: www.choosemyplate.org Fresh Ideas for Child Nutrition Practical Tips Have a bowl of fruit on the kitchen table for a quick and easy snack. Always have freshly cut vegetable sticks in the refrigerator. Stock the freezer with frozen fruits and vegetables. Keep cans of fruit in the cabinet. Buy fruits that are packed “in its own juice” but still rinse the extra sugar off. Keep dried fruit at the house and in your bag for a quick high energy snack. Keep a pack of individual serving milk cartons or string cheese for bag lunches and trips. Make larger than needed meals and freeze the leftovers in small containers for a quick meal. Quick Ideas Add raisins, bananas and other fresh or dried fruits to hot or cold cereals. Add peaches or berries to yogurt (use fresh if in season or frozen if out of season). Add berries or bananas to pancakes in addition to, or as a replacement for syrup. Add frozen vegetables to stews, casseroles and stir-frys. Freeze fruits such as bananas or grapes for a frozen treat. Add broccoli florets, spinach, carrots or other vegetables to casseroles. Add cooked zucchini and sweet peppers to a jar of regular tomato sauce. Add corn to tacos or burritos. Offer cracker or pita wedges or tortilla bites with an assortment of dipping bowls such as guacamole, hummus, yogurt and peanut butter. Make smoothies by placing ˝ -1 cup fresh or frozen fruit (a little frozen makes it colder), ˝ cup milk or yogurt, and half a banana to a blender. Bake apples with cinnamon and a touch of sugar as a healthy and warm snack. Add some mandarin oranges and a splash of the juice to a bowl of cottage cheese. Also great with pineapple. CHOKING HAZARD WARNING Children under the age of 4 are at risk for choking on certain foods. You should not give a child under the age of 4 the following foods. Chips, popcorn, pretzels, hot dogs, chunks of meat, large pieces of fruit, raw carrots or celery, nuts and seeds, raisins or whole grapes, whole cherries, peanut butter, marshmallows, hard or round candy. To avoid potential choking situations with these foods, some can be altered. Cut hot dogs lengthwise and then cut into small bites. Cut grapes or cherries in small pieces. Cook vegetables such as carrots just a little to soften them up. Spread peanut butter very thin. Bonus! Download this great poster to help children learn the concept of MyPlate and healthy eating! My Plate Planner Submit Crafts & Activities If you would like to share your craft projects, ideas, or child related articles please send them to: admin@cereschildcare.com with your name(optional) so that we can give you proper credit. If you have images to go with your submission, please attach them to the same email. Back to Themes, Crafts, and Activities Email Sheril! Return to Ceres Childcare & Preschool