This Resource for Kids' Nutrition Could Help Save Money on Health Insurance for Family

Introduction

Childhood obesity is a growing concern among many Americans. The number of obese children is growing even faster than the number of obese adults in the United States. With so many health related problems associated with obesity, it is extremely important to find a way to get kids to eat right. Teaching kids about nutrition, and how to make healthy choices is one of the best things that parents and teachers can do for kids.

Eating a healthy diet is not only good for your children's health, it's good for the family pocketbook, too. One area that will see improvement is in the cost of health insurance for family members of every age. This benefit will be especially noticeable where individual health insurance must be paid for out of pocket, as opposed to an employer-based group plan.

Just as a clean driving record makes it easiest to find best car insurance rates, health insurance, cheap and easy to maintain, comes with a clean bill of health for every member of the family. Physical fitness pays off in so many ways.

The Food Pyramid

The food pyramid is a basic guide to dietary recommendations. In 2005, the USDA changed the food pyramid to keep it up with nutritional scientific findings. The new food pyramid has some general guidelines, but it is more personalized. The updated food pyramid gives food choices based on the age and activity level of individual people.

• Nourish Interactive A website dedicated to nutrition with information on the food pyramid.

• Nutrition Exploration An interactive food pyramid.

• North Caroline Department of Agriculture A guide to the food pyramid with snack suggestions.

• The Diet Channel The food pyramid explained.

• PBS Kids An article about the food pyramid for kids.

• Learning Health The history of the food pyramid.

Healthy Diets for Kids

Making healthy choices for kids is not easy. Even though almost everything we see stresses low fat and organic, this is not necessarily what is best for a child. It is important for kids to get their nutrients from several different food groups, including the healthy fats, which are essential for their growth. Dieting by restricting calories is not necessarily a good idea for kids because they need the calories to help them grow. Making healthy choices and increasing their activity is better for their health.

• Help Guide Tips for developing healthy eating habits for kids.

• Mayo Clinic Guidelines for healthy eating for kids of all ages.

• Kids Health An article on healthy dieting for kids.

• Vegetarianism and Kids The risks of kids being on a vegetarian diet.

• Kidnetic Should kids diet? An article on healthy ways for kids to lose weight.

• American Heart Association Diet recommendations for healthy development.

Healthy Beverages

Choosing healthy drinks for kids can be difficult. Many children have grown up on drinks that are high in sugar and fat such as soda. While kids may prefer these kinds of drinks, they contribute to dental problems, weight problems, and other health problems. There are many healthy choices that kids can make such as water and 100% fruit juice. With the help of their parents and schools kids can learn to make healthy choices for not only their foods, but also their drinks.

• Prevent Disease The facts about the dangers of soda.

• American Beverage Association The recent changes in school beverages.

• Kid Source The difference between a healthy fruit drink and a fruit flavored drink.

• Organic Consumers Several expert opinions of the dangers of children drinking soda.

Eating Disorders in Children

When we think of eating disorder's we usually picture teenage girls. It may surprise people to find that eating disorders are becoming more common in younger children, both boys and girls. Anorexia, bulimia, and binging are the most common eating disorders among the younger age groups. There are some signs to look for in a child that may need help. If they are very critical of themselves, preoccupied with food, or have a significant weight loss, you may want to seek help for them.

• Eating Disorders in Children An in depth review of eating disorders in children.

• University of Michigan Health System What families need to know about eating disorders.

• Eating Disorders The difference between eating disorders and eating disturbances.

• Healthy Place The signs of eating disorders in children.

• Health News How to protect your child from developing an eating disorder.

• Children and Eating Disorders Children at risk for eating disorders.

• Seattle Children's Hospital An article for kids about eating disorders.

Nutrition Games and Activities

• Nutrition Explorations A list of activities and games centered on nutrition.

• Personal Nutrition Interactive nutrition games for kids.

• Playnormous Nutrition games for kids, parents, and teachers.

• Nutrition For Kids A list of activities, downloads, and games for kids.

• Kids Eat Well A number of activities for all age groups based on nutrition and healthy eating.

• North Dakota State University Several activities including coloring pages, workbooks, and online nutrition games.

• Meals Matter Four activities based on smart food decisions, and physical activity.

• Healthy Choices An activity kits for kids and parents to help make healthy choices.

Lesson Plans and Resources for Educators

• A to Z Teacher Stuff Several different lesson plans on the food pyramid.

• Leafy Greens A lesson plan to learn about green vegetables.

• Instructor Web A lesson plan on eating healthy.

• Eating Right Webquest This lesson plans helps student gain a better understanding how healthy eating helps our bodies.

Recommended Reading

• Competitive Edge Books about eating disorders and children in sports.

• School Nutrition A list of books for children about nutrition.

• Super Kids Nutrition Children's books to read about eating.

• Questia A list of reading materials all about eating disorders.