Build A
Better Body
Creating a Healthy Eating
Environment Assessment
Build A
Better Body
Volume 2
Answer the questions to determine the health of your environment. If you answer no to
more than two questions, make changes in your environment and reassess in one month.
1.
Are children served a new food at least once during the week?
2.
Are children served a fresh food at each meal or each day?
3.
Are children served at least two different colors in fruits and vegetables each day?
4.
Assess your dining area - is it free of clutter and child–friendly?
2008
Creating a Healthy Eating
Environment
A well planned meal with foods that contribute to
children’s well-being can be one of life’s greatest
pleasures. To make meal time count, create a healthy
food environment. What makes up a healthy eating
environment?
Caregiver’s ‘Job’
5.
Do you teach children to use manners at the table?
6.
Do you sit with the children and engage them in conversation?
7.
Do you serve meals at regular times each day?
8.
Is the TV turned off during meal time?
9.
Do you allow children to choose the amounts they eat?
Make meal time
pleasant
•
Help the children
participate in the
meal by serving
themselves and
deciding how much
food to eat.
•
10. Do you avoid comforting or rewarding with food?
•
In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin,
sex, age, disability or retaliation. If you require information about this program, activity or facility in a language other than English, contact the USDA agency responsible
for the program or activity, or any USDA office. If you require this information in alternative format (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) contact the USDA’s TARGET Center
at (202) 720-2600 (Voice or TDD).
To file a complaint of alleging discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights; 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call toll free
(866) 632-9992 (Voice). TDD users can contact the USDA through local relay or the Federal Relay at (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (relay voice users). USDA is
an equal opportunity provider and employer.
WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EDUCATION
Dr. Steven L. Paine
State Superintendent of Schools
Delores W. Cook, President; Priscilla M. Haden, Vice President; Ronald B. Spencer, Secretary
Robert W. Dunlevy, Member; Barbara N. Fish, Member; Burma Hatfield, Member
Lowell E. Johnson, Member; Gayle C. Manchin, Member; Jenny N. Phillips, Member
Brian E. Noland, Ex Officio; James L. Skidmore, Ex Officio; Steven L. Paine, Ex Officio
Best practices that make meals pleasant and
nutritious include:
•
Allow eating
methods appropriate
for a child’s
development
Having a variety of foods available, such
as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fresh
foods;
Positive conversation in a quiet setting; and
New foods introduced in a non-judgmental
atmosphere.
These tips not only contribute to positive
memories, they model a lifestyle of healthy living
and eating.
Kindly enforce a
standard of behavior
Children’s ‘Job’
•
Eat until satisfied
•
Mind your manners
•
Respect others at the
table
Remember children are learning skills, manners
and habits that influence the rest of their lives.
West Virginia Department of Education
Build A
Better Body
TIPS
NUTRITION
TOOL!
Variety: Including dark green, orange
Criteria for a
healthy
environment:
All food is ready and
at the appropriate
temperature.
Everyone sits down
together.
The table is set
properly with child
appropriate utensils
and napkins.
Everyone is polite,
shares in conversation
and uses manners.
Sweet Potatoes and Apples
and yellow vegetables is important because
they are sources for phytochemicals,
biologically active compounds in plant
foods believed to offer resistance to
diseases. When children are exposed to
healthy foods early, they are more likely to
develop habits that support healthy weight
as they grow.
Ingredients:
2 cups sweet potatoes
2 cups apples, chopped finely
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup oats
.
Method:
Mix all ingredients except oats together and place in
a casserole dish. Sprinkle oats on top.
Pleasant environment:
Avoid forcing children to eat. Provide
wholesome choices and allow them to
decide which food and how much.
Make your table a welcoming, clean,
clutter-free, child friendly place where
good manners are practiced.
Let children explore and enjoy foods. They
may be messy. Children should be able to
touch, smell and taste new foods without
feeling pressured to clean their plates.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until
apples are tender.
ACTIVITY
TOOL!
Nonjudgmental
atmosphere:
Set meal time, choose the foods offered,
and assure an inviting place to eat.
Encourage eating slowly, with enjoyment.
Allow children to stop when they are fullno clean plate club members!
The wise caregiver offers comfort, not
necessarily food when children cry or fuss.
Feeding with love produces better habits
than feeding in an emotional negative
climate.
Build A
Better Body
Sources: National Food Service Management Institute,
University of Mississippi
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S.
Department of Agriculture. Dietary Guidelines for
Americans, 2005. 6th Edition, Washington, D.C: U.S.
Government printing Office, January 2005.
Team Nutrition, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Berman and Fromer, Meals Without Squeals: Child Care
Feeding Guide and Cookbook, Palo Alto, CA.
Satter, How To Get Your Kid To Eat…But Not Too Much,
Palo Alto, CA.
Quiet Time
Children are more likely to eat well when there is a pleasant
eating environment. A transition activity between active play
and mealtime is a good time to help children understand
what will happen next and what you expect of them, helping
them feel more relaxed and comfortable.
Quiet time activities might include putting together puzzles,
reading a book to each other or themselves, drawing or
writing. Reminders to use ‘inside voices’ and manners and
wash their hands will help children to slow down and focus
on the meal. Assure children even if they are not hungry,
they do not have to eat, but they still sit at the table so they
can talk with everyone.