In order to understand the importance of the food pyramid for kids, it is important to understand the issue of childhood obesity in America. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have produced statistics that declare approximately seventeen percent of children obese in the country. This can cause numerous issues (both emotional and physical) that can be prevented with healthy living.
The ubiquitous food pyramid that most Americans are familiar with breaks down the number of servings of each type of food an average person should consume. According to the diagram, grains are the largest group, with six to eleven servings. Vegetables require three to five while its companion, fruits, requires two or three. Proteins and dairy should have two to three each as well. Extremely limited use of fats and oils is recommended. The goal of the diagram is to produce a balanced diet.
In recent years, this recommendation has been deemed too simplified, as an appropriate diet is different for everyone. For example, more active children may require more complex carbohydrates and proteins whereas less active ones should not consume as many calories. In response to this issue, the government has released a new diagram for a balanced meal.
The new diagram does not include numbers of servings but allows an individual to cater to his own lifestyle and dietary needs. The image is a dinner plate on which the different types of foods are represented. The amount of the plate it takes up corresponds to the fraction of one's daily caloric intake it should represent. For example, the first half of the plate contains fruits and vegetables in about a two to three ratio. Grains take up a little more than half of the remaining space with proteins filling in the rest. An accompanying glass stands for daily dairy.
Understanding how to use this system early is important for little ones. Parents should take great effort to demonstrate that healthy food can also be good food and that healthy eating is a lifestyle rather than a diet. Many low calorie foods can be made into delicious main dishes, such as chicken breast, whole wheat pasta, and seasoned vegetables. Presenting these types of meals consistently in a child's life will teach them eating habits that will help them in the future.
In addition to eating well, children should also exercise for thirty minutes a day. To keep this from seeming like a chore, they should seek out activities, hobbies, and sports that are exciting. Hopefully, kids will find something they love, even if it is a bit different, such as skating, rock climbing, or swimming. This balance of diet and exercise will produce happy kids.
Find good recipes that are low calorie and encourage daily exercise. Combining these two factors creates a lifetime of healthy living. This is why it is so important to understand the food pyramid for kids.
The ubiquitous food pyramid that most Americans are familiar with breaks down the number of servings of each type of food an average person should consume. According to the diagram, grains are the largest group, with six to eleven servings. Vegetables require three to five while its companion, fruits, requires two or three. Proteins and dairy should have two to three each as well. Extremely limited use of fats and oils is recommended. The goal of the diagram is to produce a balanced diet.
In recent years, this recommendation has been deemed too simplified, as an appropriate diet is different for everyone. For example, more active children may require more complex carbohydrates and proteins whereas less active ones should not consume as many calories. In response to this issue, the government has released a new diagram for a balanced meal.
The new diagram does not include numbers of servings but allows an individual to cater to his own lifestyle and dietary needs. The image is a dinner plate on which the different types of foods are represented. The amount of the plate it takes up corresponds to the fraction of one's daily caloric intake it should represent. For example, the first half of the plate contains fruits and vegetables in about a two to three ratio. Grains take up a little more than half of the remaining space with proteins filling in the rest. An accompanying glass stands for daily dairy.
Understanding how to use this system early is important for little ones. Parents should take great effort to demonstrate that healthy food can also be good food and that healthy eating is a lifestyle rather than a diet. Many low calorie foods can be made into delicious main dishes, such as chicken breast, whole wheat pasta, and seasoned vegetables. Presenting these types of meals consistently in a child's life will teach them eating habits that will help them in the future.
In addition to eating well, children should also exercise for thirty minutes a day. To keep this from seeming like a chore, they should seek out activities, hobbies, and sports that are exciting. Hopefully, kids will find something they love, even if it is a bit different, such as skating, rock climbing, or swimming. This balance of diet and exercise will produce happy kids.
Find good recipes that are low calorie and encourage daily exercise. Combining these two factors creates a lifetime of healthy living. This is why it is so important to understand the food pyramid for kids.
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