Tip 95 – Make a six-column food chart for your child and then make another one for yourself.

Include these six headings on each chart: Grains (6-7), Fruits (3-4), Vegetables (3-4), Dairy (2-3), Protein (2-3), Fats & Oils (1-2)

Each time you two have a meal or snack write the number of food portions you have eaten of that particular food in the appropriate column. If either or both of you choose foods that are not on the list, write them at the bottom of the page. At the end of the day, see how well your numbers in the columns match the recommended ones.

Parenting Insight…

This is a positive way of eating, a chance to focus on “what to eat” as opposed to “what not to eat.” The closer your list and that of your child’s matches the headings (taken directly from the original Pyramid), the better you and your child will be eating.

Check your own eating pattern for balance. Here is how the system works. If you and your child are eating foods in the proper amounts in the designated categories, your charts will show up in sync. However, if you and your child are primarily eating foods that are not on the list, your column totals will be off.

Parenting Insight…

Once you start seeing visual differences between your real way of eating and the ideal, you will better be able to monitor and control your own eating habits.

March! The Month of the Rainbow

Violet is the last color of the rainbow. It is sometimes called purple. For centuries amethyst has been considered the royal gem because of its color. Purple is known as the emblem of rank or authority. Amethysts are in many of the crown jewels in at least five different countries.