The Food Guide Pyramid for Children, also known as MyPyramid for Kids, offers a step-by-step explanation of the key concepts presented by the associated diagram. These concepts include lifestyle goals, healthy eating and physical activity tips that address a child's needs for total wellness and health. The concepts are used with information regarding the basic daily food groups and portion recommendations.
Features
Through visual learning techniques and graphics, MyPyramid for Kids explains six key concepts. They include being physically active every day; eating more from some food groups than others; choosing healthier foods within each group; eating colorful foods every day; making the right personal choices; and taking one step at a time. The graphic itself uses colorful bars of differing widths to represent the food groups and a set of steps with a child running up the side of the pyramid to represent the importance of exercise.
Concepts
The MyPyramid for Kids graphic addresses three main healthy eating concepts: variety, moderation and balance. "Eat more from some groups than others" addresses the colored bars. "Did you notice that some of the colored stripes are wider than others?" Accompanying text explains that the colored bars of the greatest width represent the foods, such as grains, milk and vegetables, to choose most often. "Eat color every day" reminds children to choose foods that represent all six colors for nutritional balance. "Choose healthier foods from each group" instructs children to eat most often foods from the widest part of each stripe, or in other words, those at the bottom of the pyramid.
Support Materials
Support materials reinforce key graphic concepts. Teachers are able to incorporate MyPyramid classroom materials into school lessons. Sample support materials include an interactive online game, posters and lesson plans.
The home web page for MyPyramid for Kids offers links to other resources for additional information. Adults, including family and caregivers, can use these tools to assist message delivery and reinforcement. A child can monitor his own progress by using a printable worksheet that allows him to track his daily food intake and exercise patterns.
Food Recommendations
Children aged 4 to 8 years should eat 4 to 5 oz. of grains daily. half of which are whole grains. An example of a 1 oz. grain equivalent includes a slice of bread and ½ cup hot cereal or rice. For optimum health, children of this age group need 1.5 cups of each fruits and vegetables.
One cup of fruit or 100 percent fruit juice, and ½ cup of dried fruit each equal a 1 cup serving, while 1 cup of raw or cooked vegetables, 1 cup vegetable juice, and 2 cups of leafy greens are each considered the equivalent of a 1 cup serving. Young children require 2 cups of milk or yogurt daily and should eat 3 to 4 oz. meat or the equivalent. 1 egg and ¼ cup starchy beans or tofu each count as 1 oz. meat.
Benefits
MyPyramid for Kids is designed to meet the needs of children aged 6 to 11 years. It is colorful, fun and attracts a child's attention, encouraging her to learn more about the healthy eating messages and lifestyle concepts presented. These messages are clear and direct and the website is attractive, interactive and offers several venues for enrichment and learning. The graphic and support materials help children within this age group make healthy eating and physical activity choices early in life, which is important for continuing healthy lifestyle choices into adulthood.
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