Monday Message - It's a New Year!

Start your New Year with a Kitchen Makeover and Teaching the Importance of Nutrition.

Food, nutrition and eating skills are among the most important things you can share with your children this New Year. Remember that no one is a perfect parent and that goes for your child's Nutrition too!
As a parent, grandparent or adult caregiver, you can help to raise healthy eaters during these critical years by doing your best to:

• Serve regular, balanced meals and snacks with a variety of nutrient-rich foods
• Provide calm, pleasant meal times where adults and children can talk together
• Allow children to use their internal signals to decide how much and what to eat
• Explore a variety of flavors and foods from different cultures and cuisines
• Share an appreciation for healthful food, lovingly prepared and shared with others
• Make simple food safety, like washing hands washing hands, part of every eating occasion.
• Teach basic skills for making positive food choices away from home.
• Find credible food and nutrition resources when you don't know the answer.

Check out Kids Eat Right for more tips on Making Family Mealtime a Priority and Getting Kids Involved in Nutrition.


If you really want to change your family's eating habits, you need to build a healthy kitchen. Here's how to give your kitchen a makeover. View the full article at Kids Eat Right.

• Make a List
  What foods would you like to ensure are in your house? Make a list and bring it to the grocery store.
• Consider Some Changes
  Could you buy whole-wheat bread instead of white? How about low-fat milk instead of whole milk? You don't have to make every change right away if you're not ready. Ease yourself and your family into healthier ingredients one at a time.
• Do the Math
  How many people are in your family? If each person should eat a minimum of two pieces of fruit per day and there are four in your family, that means you need eight pieces of fruit in your house for a day. Do the same calculation with other food groups so you know how much to buy.
• Embrace the Can
  Many canned foods retain as much nutrient value as their fresh or frozen counterparts. Choosing canned fruits, vegetables, beans and meats can lighten the burden on your pocketbook and ensure these healthy foods are on hand in a pinch.
• Change the Environment
  Once you bring your groceries home, make healthy foods more inviting. Fill a fruit bowl with fresh fruit you just purchased. Clean and cut fresh vegetables right away and put them in plastic bags so they are convenient to grab and eat.