We often stereotype grandparents as spoiling their grandchildren by always buying them candy, cookies and other treats. This is a myth as most grandparents want their grandchildren to acquire good eating habits. Grandparents know that treats don't always have to be candy. A tempting bowl of fresh fruit on the kitchen counter can be just as much of a treat to a child as a piece of candy.
It is critical that grandparents talk with their grandchildren about the types of food that are healthy or unhealthy. Grandparents can introduce different kinds of food and expand the variety of foods that their grandchildren are familiar with.
Introducing new foods to your grandchildren should be done slowly by offering small portions and gently encouraging grandchildren to take a taste. Offer a small positive comment if they try it; then move on so trying new foods doesn't become a big issue.
Children sometimes use food refusal as a way to get attention or power. Many chidren refuse to eat certain vegetables for their parents, but may be perfectly willing to eat those same foods with someone else.
Discussing mealtime expectations will help grandchildren be aware of what they can and can't do while eating. Many older adults don't like to see any food thrown away, while some chilren think nothing of dumping half their meal in the trash. The amount that a child eats at any given meal may vary dramatically, depending on how fast they are growing, how active they are and how much they have been eating over the past few days. It's best to serve small helpings and allow the child to have seconds. That way, the child's hunger determines how much food he or she eats, without wasting platefuls. Young children generally need the same basic proportions of healthy foods that adults need, but in smaller quantities.
The Food Guide Pyramid suggests six to eleven daily servings of grains; three to five servings of vegetables; two to four servings of fruits; two to three servings of milk, cheese and yogurt; and three to five servings of meat, fish, poultry, dried beans, eggs and nuts.
For preschool children, these daily amounts will average roughly two-thirds of the amounts for older children and adults, but the daily intake of milk should be about the same— two to three cups per day.
Author:
- Mary Brintnall-Peterson, Ph.D., Program Specialist in Aging, University of Wisconsin-Extension.
References:
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2005). Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. Retrieved from http://www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines.
