Niños Sanos, Familia Sana: Lesson Plans, Year 1, Focus on Family Foods

Abstract

HealthyFamily) is a nutrition education curriculum, designed for Latino parents with young children. The goal is to improve nutrition and physical activity to prevent childhood obesity and promote health. This publication includes 20 lesson plans for 1-hour classes in a community setting. Educators will also find suggestions for food demonstrations. The lessons reinforce nine key messages:• Enjoy family meals together.• Offer more vegetables and fruits.• Allow children to select kid-size portions of food.• Increase outdoor family playtime.• Reduce time spent watching television and using other screen devices.• Reduce sugary beverages.• Establish a healthy routine to get enough sleep.• Eat a healthy breakfast.• Cook at home more often, and make healthy choices when eating. LESSON 1.1 Eat More Fruits and Vegetables http://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu | November 2019 2 UC ANR Publication 8583 Target Audience: Latino families with young children, 3 to 8 years old Key Message: Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables every day.Objectives: By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to Lesson (Add): (15 min) Discuss the following points:• Ask: What are the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables? − Fruits and vegetables have a lot of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. − A healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables helps prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Eating healthy together Many families are only eating about half the amount of fruits and vegetables they need to stay healthy. About half our plates should be filled with fruits and vegetables. http://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu | November 2019 UC ANR Publication 8583 3 − A few examples show how vitamins or minerals keep us healthy.Vitamin C, found in tomatoes, melons, lemons, oranges, berries, and peppers, helps the body to fight infections. Potassium, found in spinach, other leafy greens, bananas, and beans, keeps muscles and nerves healthy and is important for normal blood pressure. Fiber, found in beans, helps relieve constipation.• Ask: Why is it important to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables?− Since fruits and vegetables vary in the amounts and types of nutrients they contain, the best way to get all the benefits is to choose a wide variety of both fruits and vegetables.− (Show the assortment of fruits and vegetables on display.) The different colors of fruits and vegetables reflect the variety of nutrients and healthful components of these foods.• Ask: Do Latino families eat enough fruit and vegetables?− While recent immigrants tend to eat more fruit and vegetables, over time their children begin to eat less of these foods.− Many families are only eating about half the amount they need to stay healthy. About half your plate should be fruits and vegetables (show My Healthy Plate-we will learn more about it later).− Of course, young children may eat a lot less of these foods. Forcing them to eat will not teach them to like the foods. Instead, try some of the smart parenting strategies below.• Ask: What can parents do to help the...