Healthy Food and Nutrition Blog

            Healthy nutrition is important no matter what your age is. The older you get your diet and keeping healthy changes. You tend to need more exercise and better eating habits.

            In the book it talks about how we need vitamins, proteins, minerals and a lot more things to help with our growing bodies and keeping us healthy. Our bodies will only be as strong and healthy as we make them. When we do not eat and drink the right things are bodies are suffering and need these things to keep us going. For example our bodies need proteins to fight off illness and infections (Robertson C. pg. 232) Protein is in every cell and which also forms enzymes, hormones, and antibodies which our bodies need to keep us healthy and away from illness. (Robertson C. pg.232) From baby to adult every one of us needs protein to once again help our bodies say in good condition and healthy keeping us going from day to day in our daily activities in life. From baby to adult if they are not getting the proper care and eating right they are hurting their bodies. Young children need help to keep them healthy they need us adults to help them. But adults you depend on yourself. Getting help is the best thing if you do not know where to start and what to do.

            Adults are the role models for children. Children look up to adults and follow what they see what they are doing.  It is like monkey see monkey do. Children copy everything this how they start to learn. If a parent or adult eat healthy with the child then the child is more likely to want to sit and eat with them. If you tell a child you need to eat this they are mostly likely going to tell you no. But if you sit and eat they are more likely to follow your lead and do the same. When it comes to feeding infants is a lot different you as the parent or adult are in charge. You are regulating their feedings. Make sure you are persistent and have a schedule you follow this way you keep on top of feedings and what the babies’ cries are for.  If you practice healthy eating and healthy habits this will help children of all ages do the same thing and want to do it. Showing children eating healthy are great will help the children want to follow in your food steps and be healthy the same as you or their role models.

Healthy recipes for the family

Applesauce

Prep time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

·         2 small red apples

·         2 tbsp. lemon juice

·         2 tsp. sugar

·         2 pinches of cinnamon

Utensils:

·         knife (you'll need help from your adult assistant)

·         blender or food processor

·         measuring spoons

·         serving bowls

Directions:

1.    Peel the apples and cut them into small pieces. Throw out the core.

2.    Put the apple pieces and lemon juice into the blender or food processor. Blend until the mixture is very smooth.

3.    Pour the mixture into two small bowls and stir in the sugar and cinnamon.

4.    Enjoy your awesome applesauce!

Frozen Yogurt Pops

Prep time: about 1 to 2 hours

Ingredients:

·         1 8-oz. container of your favorite flavor of yogurt

Utensils:

·         small paper cups

·         wooden popsicle sticks (available in craft stores)

·         plastic wrap

Directions:

1.    Pour yogurt into paper cups. Fill them almost to the top.

2.    Stretch a small piece of plastic wrap across the top of each cup.

3.    Using the popsicle stick, poke a hole in the plastic wrap. Stand the stick straight up in the center of the cup.

4.    Put the cups in the freezer until the yogurt is frozen solid.

5.    Remove the plastic wrap, peel away the paper cup, and eat your pop!

Serves: 3 to 4

Serving size: 1 pop

Nutritional analysis (per serving):
127 calories
5 g protein
2 g fat
21 g carbohydrate
0 g fiber
7 mg cholesterol
73 mg sodium
262 mg calcium
0 mg iron

Note: Nutritional analysis may vary depending on ingredient brands used.

Creamy Cheesy Cucumber Sandwich

Prep time: 5-10 minutes

What you need:

·         ¾ cup light cream cheese, slightly softened

·         half a large cucumber, thinly sliced

·         8 slices of whole-wheat bread

Equipment and supplies:

·         Large knife

·         Cutting board

·         Plastic wrap (optional)

What to do:

1.    Spread each slice of bread with cream cheese (about 3 tablespoons per sandwich).

2.    Place about 4 cucumber slices on 4 of the slices of bread and top with remaining bread slices.

3.    Cut into quarters and serve immediately or wrap sandwiches and save for later.

How much does this make?

·         4 sandwiches

References:

1.      Robertson, C. (2013). Safety, nutrition, and health in early education (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning

2.      http://kidshealth.org/kid/recipes/recipes/applesuce.html#cat20229

3          3.      tp://kidshealth.org/kid/recipes/recipes/yogurt_pops.html#cat20229

4.                               http://kidshealth.org/kid/recipes/recipes/cucmber_sandwich.html#cat20229