Parent Teacher Magazine Cabarrus County Schools May 2014 | Page 10
Give Eating Right a Green Light
A special contribution from Novant Health
The government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans says
everyone age 2 and older should eat a variety from five
basic food groups each day: fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy
products, and protein foods. You should focus on nutrient-rich
foods and avoid empty calories.
But the advice raises an old question: How do you get kids
to eat right? Well, monkey see, monkey do! If kids see their
parents eating healthy foods, then they’re much more likely to
indulge in fruits and vegetables, too.
Many dietitians favor splitting foods into green light,
yellow light, and red light groups. Be sure to put green light
foods within kids’ easy reach:
Green light foods. High-nutrition, low-fat, and lowor moderate-calorie foods kids can eat often: celery,
carrots, broccoli, apples, low-fat yogurt, multigrain
pretzels
Yellow light foods. Nutritious but higher-fat
or calorie foods that must be eaten in moderation:
meats, enriched breads and pasta, full-fat cheese
Other tips:
• Trust that when kids are hungry
enough, they’ll eat the healthy options
you serve.
• Don’t use sweets to reward or
punish kids.
• Set a good example for kids by
eating well.
• Encourage kids to eat at normal
meal times.
• Discourage snacking.
• Develop a “try it” rule for new foods.
• Involve kids in all aspects of nutrition with a family or
community garden, at the grocery store, and in the kitchen.
Novant Health wants to keep kids healthy. Our boardcertified pediatricians at Novant Health Rowan Pediatrics are
here for you. To learn more, visit nhpediatrics.org or call 704638-1550.
Red light foods. Foods like cookies, candy, and
sugary drinks that have no nutritional value; save
these for special treats
Discover YOU!
Learning about health should
be fun! That simple idea is the
premise for Discover YOU!
Whether it's a fun day with
your family or an educational
trip with your students,
Discover YOU! is the perfect
way to LEARN more about
how to live a healthy lifestyle.
Call 704•827•6770
420 East Central Avenue
Mount Holly, NC
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