Posted: March 14, 2024
Food is about so much more than nutrition. Walk into any child care setting at mealtime and you will see that food has everything to do with learning and community. Learning includes where the food comes from, what nutritional benefit it provides, how to prepare it, and how it engages the senses of sight, touch, smell, and taste. Mealtime is when relationships are strengthened, and community is created around shared food experiences.
The National Nutrition Month logo on a refrigerator surrounded by fruit and vegetable shaped magnets.
"Beyond the Table" is the National Nutrition Month theme for 2024 and highlights the farm-to-fork aspect of nutrition including sustainability efforts that include choosing foods that are good for your body and for the environment.
The main messages of "Beyond the Table" include:
Stay nourished on any budget.
This can be challenging with the rising food costs. Some of the best ways to stay within your budget is to plan your meals and snacks ahead of time. Plan your menu, check what foods you have at home, and then use a shopping list for the rest. Shop for sales and buy produce when it is in season. Look for sales on frozen or canned fruits and vegetables.
Eat a variety of foods from all food groups.
The five food groups are fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy. It is important to remember that our bodies need a variety of nutrients from all the food groups on a regular basis, and no one food group offers all the nutrition we need. Select a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, and foods that are less processed, with little added sugars, sodium (salt), or saturated fat. USDA's MyPlate can assist in planning meals with a variety of foods. For more information, visit MyPlate.gov.
A fun diverse activity is to include favorite cultural foods and traditions at mealtimes. Try new foods or recipes for global cuisines at meals and snacks.
Eat with the environment in mind.
Our food choices also can affect the health of our planet. Learn about what is involved in growing your food. Consider taking a field trip to a local farm or farmers' market and learn about how food is grown and harvested. You may also consider growing fruits and vegetables at your child care setting. If space is limited, try container gardening on a patio or windowsill, or participate in a community garden. Consider adding more budget-friendly, high-protein, plant-based foods into your menus. This includes beans, lentils, and chickpeas. Also, find ways to reduce food waste. Plan carefully to limit leftovers or plan to use leftovers in other meals.
Related BKC courses
Better Kid Care has several OnDemand courses that support the main messages in the "Beyond the Table" National Nutrition Month theme. These courses will provide practical ways to further the learning and community aspect of meals in your child care setting.
- Fresh Harvest: Children Grow in the Garden
- Family Child Care: Ethnic Foods Exploration
- Cooking Matters (5 course series):
National Nutrition Month is an annual nutrition education campaign by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and was established to highlight making informed food choices and developing healthful eating. For more information on "Beyond the Table" and downloadable resources go to National Nutrition Month® Resources (eatright.org). Check out the "Beyond the Table" coloring sheet and other resources in multiple languages.
