3/8/12 blog post
10 ways to make a healthy "plate" for baby
As a parent, it is important to encourage healthy eating even from a very young age. Even when your child is still a baby, there are many ways to begin building healthy habits during mealtime! 10 easy MyPlate strategies for older babies
- Print off a My Plate from the internet and post in your kitchen. (http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ )
- Talk at meal time about My Plate so this symbol becomes as familiar as cartoon figures.
- Use a divided plate made for young toddlers on the baby’s high chair so this becomes familiar.
- In casual conversation with your older baby at mealtimes, say fun things about your plate and what foods you eat.
- Use the divided plate as a “next step” for your baby as she becomes a toddler, like a “Rite of Passage” step.
- Have other young family members share in the discussion/decisions about what to eat for My Plate.
- Make sure the toy chest has “play” divided plates so the plate becomes an everyday item.
- If your older baby is at the grocery store with you, mention food in relation to the My Plate as you are putting food in your cart.
- Get ‘play” food so that your baby is familiar with fruits and vegetables.
- Snacks are important for young toddlers and include My Plate conversation at this time as well.
About the author: Nancy Nevin-Folino is a licensed, registered dietitian and a fellow of the American Dietetic Association. She is board certified in pediatric nutrition (CSP). Nevin-Folino has received numerous professional awards and has published a number of papers and chapters on various nutrition topics, including several on neonatal nutrition and the nutritional needs of high-risk newborns. She has worked in the Dayton Children's Regional Level III B Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for 22 years.