USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans

USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans

• The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the seventh edition of the dietary guidelines for Americans in 2010.
• The guidelines provide evidence-based nutritional advice to promote health, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity through improved nutrition and physical activity.

My Plate

• The USDA developed a visual aid called My Plate to replace the food pyramid.
• My Plate uses a plate setting format to show the types and amounts of recommended foods.
• The composition of My Plate includes:
  • One quarter of the plate for protein sources (e.g., fish, poultry, meat)
  • One quarter of the plate for starch (e.g., whole grains)
  • Half of the plate for fruits and vegetables

Importance of Nutrition Education

• Child care centers should provide education on healthy food choices to parents.
• My Plate is a valuable resource for nutrition education.
• Centers can provide education sessions with parents to help them understand how to use My Plate.

Role of Meal Time in Child Development

• Meal time in child care and educational settings extends beyond just eating and can be leveraged as a multifaceted learning opportunity.
• Social skills, language acquisition, motor skills, cognitive growth, and the establishment of healthy habits can be developed during meal time.

Meal Time Learning Opportunities

• Meal time can foster social skills, such as:
  • Using polite expressions (e.g., "please" and "thank you")
  • Articulating needs and waiting turns
  • Practicing patience and sharing space and resources with peers
• Meal time can enhance language and vocabulary development by:
  • Introducing new words related to food experiences
  • Using descriptive language related to sensory aspects (e.g., taste, color, texture, and smell)
• Meal time can improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination through:
  • Handling utensils and pouring liquids
  • Scooping food and using precision and control
• Meal time can encourage decision-making and problem-solving skills by:
  • Offering choices and encouraging children to make decisions
  • Solving problems related to eating and balancing a plate

Modeling Healthy Eating Behaviors

• Adults play a crucial role in modeling healthy eating behaviors during meal time.
• Children are likely to emulate healthy eating behaviors when they observe caregivers choosing nutritious foods and practicing portion control.

Building Self-Esteem and Independence

• Consistency is critical in having a successful family dining experience with young children.
• Providing opportunities for children to master fine motor and social skills can build self-esteem and independence.

Supporting Children's Learning

• Teachers should have an attitude that children are capable of learning and doing things themselves.
• Children need to be able to make mistakes and learn from them, with support and guidance from teachers.
• Teachers should provide comfort and reassurance when children make mistakes, to maintain their confidence and self-esteem.

Family Dining and Learning

• Family dining includes setting up the table before eating and cleaning up after the meal.
• Children learn self-help skills, take care of themselves, and understand the process of setting up and cleaning up.
• Children are more likely to try new foods when they see their teachers trying them, and it provides a sense of security and reciprocal learning.

The USDA's dietary guidelines provide evidence-based nutritional advice to promote health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Learn about the guidelines and their focus on balancing calories and improving nutrition.