Three books that discuss healthy eating and nutrition for school-age children include Healthy Plates: Eating Healthy by Valerie Bodden, Kids’ Fun & Healthy Cookbook by Nicola Graimes, and Summer Supper by Rubin Pfeffer (Bodden, 2015; Graimes, 2007; Pfeffer, 2018). The books aim at informing young children on the importance of taking healthy food, thereby preventing health issues like obesity caused by unhealthy eating habits. Children need to be encouraged to read them to enhance their knowledge about healthy foods, thus understanding the importance of certain nutrients.
The foods included in my healthy breakfast recipes are oatmeal, fruit and nut yogurt, and waffles. Children engage in learning and other physical activities all day, hence the need to have energy. Oats are considered the healthiest grains of all and constitute essential minerals, fiber, and vitamins (UNICEF, 2010). Other benefits of this meal include lowering blood sugar levels and reducing weight (USDA, 2022). In early childhood, a fruit and nut yogurt breakfast promotes healthy eating habits. Fruits contain fiber and plant sugars in their natural form; healthy fats are constituted in nuts, while proteins are obtained from yogurt (Mayo Clinic, 2022). Waffles are an instant energy source as they are a good source of fats and carbohydrates. They can be paired with fruits to up the nutritional content.
Waffles are an essential food constituent as they provide enough energy required by kids to participate in activities all day long. The solid nutritional content of this meal promotes the child’s growth and development. Oatmeals can be mixed with vegetables and fruits, thus promoting healthy eating among the children’s beneficiaries (UNICEF, 2010). Fruit and nut yogurt being administered to children will eventually make them like such foods, promoting healthy eating (O’Neil et al., 2015). The above meals offer different choices among the kids and encourage healthy eating habits. Serving the right amount of these meals promotes good eating habits as they will enquire to get more of the meals.
Ideas for the recipes came from the research conducted on the healthy meals children need to take. Studies showed that breakfast is the most important meal for children and everybody. Having the proper nutrients promotes healthy living, thus preventing weight gain. Electronic sources, including the recipe sites like epicurious.com and recipeland.com, were the main constituents for creating the recipes (Recipeland, 2022; Recipes, 2022). In selecting books, the resources used were book reviews, online inventory lists, online bookstores, and recommended title lists from the internet.
Children with special health needs like food hypersensitivity related to sugar or eggs cannot enjoy oatmeal as it constitutes both. Millet is an alternative; it lacks both sugar and eggs and consists of carbohydrates, iron, fiber, and magnesium, which are healthy nutrients. Yogurt contains lactose that is difficult to digest in children, thus leading to bloating, gas, cramps, or stomach pains. Cottage cheese is an ideal option for yogurt; it lacks lactose (O’Neil et al., 2015). Instead of waffles, the best alternative is pancakes, for they can be made without adding eggs, thus appropriate for those children with allergies.
A large table, a small gas cooker, several small and large bowls, spoons, measuring cans, and spoons are the essential materials for presenting the recipes to the large group. The materials will be placed on the table where everyone can see them. Engaging the children by asking questions and requesting them to help group the ingredients will ensure they remain productive. Reading through my pre-planned recipes will be my first step to ensure everything is in place. Using simple language will be critical to ensure I associate with the kids well. Creating the recipe with the children in the afternoon is most suitable. They are most active during that part of the day. My role will be to act as a moderator and advisor while creating the recipes with the children. I will allow them to make decisions on the recipe and only offer my guidance.
It is necessary to limit children’s engagement, especially where a fire is present, thus avoiding unnecessary accidents. Asking for volunteers to help prepare the recipe will ensure the students are engaged. The children will be able to give views on how they see fit to prepare their recipe. The following questions can help reflect the children’s understanding and knowledge regarding healthy food and nutrition. What does a healthy diet constitute? How many servings of fruits and vegetables do you take in a day? The developmental domains of early childhood education incorporated in the facilitation of the recipe include motor development and physical health. It was not surprising to discover this since the process was a learning activity that engages both the mental and physical body. Children will get to sample their recipes with me as I offer my guidance to prevent mix-ups. The process will take no more than one hour to prevent boredom among the children.
The recipes and knowledge of healthy foods can be employed to prevent health issues like obesity. With the help of the recipes, preparing healthy breakfast meals is made easy among families, thus promoting nutritional living standards for the children. Sharing the recipes with family members is an option to prevent family members from being victims of unhealthy meals. Unhealthy meals have high-fat content, additives, and chemicals that cause weight gain. They include deep-fried meals and potato chips. Healthy foods are not limited to the three mentioned above, but many more where different nutrients needed by the body are gained.
References
Bodden, V. (2015). Healthy Plates (2nd ed., pp. 2-23). Creative Paperbacks.
Graimes, N. (2007). Kids’ fun & healthy cookbook (1st ed., pp. 2-20). DK Children.
Mayo Clinic. (2022). What nutrients does your child need now? Mayo Clinic. Web.
Nutrition. (2016). Good Children’s Books on Nutrition & Healthy Eating 2016. Plant a Seed and See What Grows Foundation. Web.
O’Neil, C., Nicklas, T., Fulgoni, V., & DiRienzo, M. (2015). Cooked oatmeal consumption is associated with better diet quality, nutrient intakes, and reduced risk for central adiposity and obesity in children 2–18 years: NHANES 2001–2010.Food &Amp; Nutrition Research, 59(1), 26673. Web.
Pfeffer, R. (2018). Summer supper (1st ed., pp. 10-30). Random House Books for Young Readers.
Recipeland. (2022). Recipeland | Recipes, cooking tips, thousands of recipe photos. RecipeLand.com. Web.
Recipes. (2022). Epicurious – Recipes, Menu Ideas, Videos & Cooking Tips. Epicurious. Web.
UNICEF. (2010). Facts for life (pp. 23-45). United Nations Children’s Fund.
USDA. (2022). Food and Nutrition. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Web.