I my humble opinion one of the best gifts we can give our children is an understanding of healthy eating habits. Not just preparing healthy meals for them, encouraging them to eat their vegetables, and keeping junk food to a minimum, but teaching them basic knowledge of what a healthy diet is. I'm using these printable nutrition activities to help my eight year old autistic daughter better understand nutrition, and offering the free printables to help your kids as well. Hopefully, this will lead to some better kids food choices, as they learn about nutrition.
My Plate Coloring Page
Of course we've included a printable My Plate coloring sheet. Coloring pages are nice for a wide range of ages and skill levels. This My Plate kids coloring page is a great way to open up a discussion about nutrition and the importance of eating a wide variety of foods from different food groups. My little girl adores coloring and it is a wonderful fun way for her to work on her fine motor skills.
Nutrition Activities for Kids: Portions
Portioning is of course hugely important in nutrition. It is also something I've recently come to realize I was not doing all that well with my daughter. I switched her to a mostly organic diet about six months ago. I'm not super strict about it. The main goal is to simply reduce the chemical load on her body. She has been a bit more focused and is seemingly healthier overall since the change, but I've noticed she is getting a little chunky. Over packing her school breakfast/lunch, to ensure she had ample choices (since I've instructed the teacher that I don't want her eating other things except on special occasions such as their parties) is probably a big factor in that. My daughter's love of pasta and corn chips plays a part too I am sure. Above, I am utilizing the printable portion card to share with her what I've learned. Using one's own hand to portion food, not only is a great visual way to learn, but instantly matches appropriate portions to the individual.
The portion activity sheet has four cards, so you can share with others who care for your child, such as grandparents.
My Plate Printable Nutrition Activity for Kids
This My Plate printable nutrition activity sheet is a fun way to help kids get accustomed to what a healthy meal should look like. It is simplified representation of the new My Plate guidelines, which switched the largest portions from starches to fruits and vegetables. Dairy can either be placed on the side of the plate as a beverage or added to the section of the plate it is being served with. For our purposes, sugar and fats are not depicted. It is a topic I will be covering with her at a later date.
Grab the Printable Nutrition Activities for Kids
Here are the nutrition themed kids activities to help encourage choosing healthy foods. They are fun activities that are easy to incorporate into nutrition education. The nutrition activities and coloring sheets are perfect for both home and school.
Printable Nutrition Coloring Page
Printable Nutrition Cut-Out Activity
Putting the Nutrition Activities to Practical Use
This is her lunch for today. Her protein portion is a little bigger than suggested, but her breakfast I packed is lighter on the protein, so it should balance out. The roll is nearly exactly the size of her fist, so that is just right. She has a serving of low-fat Horizon Organic milk, and one fruit + one vegetable. Next week, I think I will start sending 2 veggies on some days.
Horizon is a Great Source for Products and Ideas
Horizon is not just a great source for natural and organic foods, they also sponsor a good deal of bloggers like myself to come up with innovative ideas, crafts and recipes to help families live healthier happier lives. See what both Horizon and their bloggers are creating by following along with Horizon on Pinterest. They also share on Twitter and Facebook, as well as Instagram, for those of us who are addicted to that fun app.
Make sure to sign up for the Horizon Newsletter too. You will get an instant coupon and be kept up to date with the latest recipes, new products and promotions.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon Organic. The opinions and text are all mine.
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Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
I think this is such a great way to get kids involved in making healthy choices and still keep it lighthearted. Thanks for sharing this.
Jenn @ EngineerMommy says
These are great printables for kids. I love to teach my kids the importance of a healthy, well-rounded meal! It makes it so much more fun for them when they have a printable like this!
Jeanette says
I actually like that for myself! It is a great way to make sure you get all the healthy food you need each day.
lisa says
I need to print these out. I am trying to get my little ones into eating right and choosing the best options for nutrition.
victoria says
What a Great ideas for the kids. I love those printables I will share it to my sister that have a picky eater kid
Annemarie LeBlanc says
The printables are great! It is such a creative way to teach children to choose healthy food and properly proportion them. I will share this post with my cousin who has three young daughters.
Jennifer Pilgrim says
I love how it's fun and educational. It really allows the child to learn and understand eating healthy.
Tatanisha Pitts-Worthey says
I have to agree that it is important to instill healthy eating habits to children and we should start it early on. Thank for the printables!
Cherri Megasko says
Coloring pages are such a great way for kids to learn. I used to make them from scratch on the computer for my kids long before the internet was widespread. Printables have made teaching kids at home much more convenient.
Nicole says
I strongly agree with your sentiments on instilling a great sense of healthy eating into our children. When my daughter was still in the baby food phase I made all of it from organic fruits and veggies and now that shes 2 going on 3 I can hardly get her to TRY a new veggie, it's extremely challenging!
Maggie Branch says
This is a really cute printable. I agree that it is important to teach your children what a healthy diet is.
Kelli @ 3 Boys and a Dog says
These are great and I think they could really encourage a child to make better, healthier choices in the food that they eat! Nothing is better than having your child say, "No mom, this is better for us to eat." Choosing nutritious foods over less nutritious items! Thank you for sharing!
Up Run for Life says
This is a great idea. It's important to instill healthy habits as young as possible. Thank you for the printables.
HilLesha says
I'm adamant about eating healthy in my household, so I'll have to print this out. Thanks for sharing!
OurFamilyWorld says
These are nice printables. I've been hearing a lot of great things about the Horizon Organic brand. I would love to try their products.
Bonnie @wemake7 says
Those are some really cool activities. I can't wait to print these out.
Kathy says
These are great! I'll have to print some of these out for my girls. I'm so happy that they eat healthy though. They love their fruit and veggies! I don't have to beg for them to eat them because they already do! 🙂
Chubskulit Rose says
I absolutely agree. We reiterate in our kids that health is wealth. It is also important that as parents, we have to lead by example.
Ann Bacciaglia says
This is perfect for my friends kids right now. I will have to share this with my friends with little ones.
CourtneyLynne says
Oooooo how cute is this?!?! My daughter would totally love to color one of these 🙂
Jenny says
those are cute 🙂 my son is too old for them but my niece might like this.
Lisa Rios says
I agree, the best gift that you can give to your kids are good & healthy eating habits to make sure their nutrition level are good enough as well. These are some nice printables that could motivate them to lead a healthy life.