by Cranky Curmudgeon

Created on: June 06, 2010   Last Updated: September 03, 2010

The USDA Food Pyramid, as we know it today, arrived on the scene originally in the form of a dietary book in 1902 by W.O. Atwater, an agriculture chemist who was studying the effects of calorie intake versus the human metabolism. "Principals of Nutrition and Nutritive Value of Food" by W.O. Atwater is the base on which the USDA periodically revises the food pyramid upon today. The advent of this nutrition education resulted in the end of widespread malnutrition in the US. Teaching the Food Pyramid to children is equally as important as mealtime itself.

The three ways children love to learn is through: visual aids, feeling like they learned it on their own and the feeling of pride when they feel they are doing what grown-ups do.

Three Steps to Teaching Your Children The Food Pyramid

Step 1-Find a good-sized USDA Food Pyramid:

Explain what "healthy" is to your children and quiz them on what healthy foods are while introducing the USDA Food Pyramid. Use the pictures on the Pyramid to aid you and explain how to read it. The children do not need to have reading skills to understand it.

Step 2-Post the Food Pyramid on the fridge:

Children love to learn on their "own time". By posting the pyramid where it is easily readable and accessible, the children will be able to reference it whenever they choose, or happen to stumble upon it. After an explanation from mom and dad, it will be interesting to the child to see how her meals that day have fit into the Food Pyramid. When they ask for a Popsicle, mom can point to the tiny area atop the Pyramid and say "Eat sugars sparingly, the Pyramid says, so it is best to only this one treat today. If you need a snack later, we can have one from the veggies group." When the child "chooses" she feels confident.

Step 3-Plan Lunch and Dinner with your Children:

When choosing the meal plan for dinner, ask the children to help. Ask them where the chicken kiev will fall in the Food Pyramid and ask the children what other food groups are needed to be included in the meal. Also, letting the children "choose" dinner will reinforce understanding the the Food Pyramid as well. "Should we have spaghetti or chicken for dinner tonight? Which one does the Food Pyramid say is healthier for us to eat?"

More Fun with the Food Pyramid:

Laminate your Pyramid (at the office or buy a laminating page set for $2.00) Give each family member a different color dry-erase marker and let them tally in the Food Pyramid each serving they have eaten within each of the food groups for that day. The daily winner may be able to choose the dessert for the evening!

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