Memorandum

TO: WIC Regional Directors #08-135 WIC Local Agency Directors FROM: Linda Brumble, Unit Manager (Original Signed) Nutrition Education/Clinic Services Unit Nutrition Services Section DATE: October 3, 2008 SUBJECT: New Nutrition Education Materials from Pam McCarthy and Massachusetts WIC New emotion-based handouts are available for your education efforts. Emotion-based nutrition education uses emotions as motivators to help participants improve or change their behaviors. As we all learned through VENA training, simply providing knowledge/information to our participants does not always help them to change behaviors. If you attended the Texas Nutrition and Breastfeeding Conference in July, you probably heard Pam McCarthy, Registered Dietitian, Nutrition Education Consultant, and conference speaker, talk about emotion-based education. Pam worked with the Massachusetts WIC Program to develop these materials. Copies of the English handouts are attached to this memo. Each 8 ½” x 11” handout has a colorful emotion-evoking photo on the front and nutrition information on the back. These handouts are available in English and Spanish. Each item is listed below with the stock number. Please review these materials and use the Texas WIC Materials Order Form to order copies for your clinics. □ Active Pregnancy/Garner peso con alimentos saludables hace que perderlo sea mucho más fácil -

English, 13-06-12899 and Spanish, 13-06-12899a □ Gift of Good Food/déla a su hijo 10 regalos sabrosos que le durarán toda la vida - English,13-06-12900

and Spanish, 13-06-12900a □ Role Model – Bananas/las comidas son un buen momento para jugar a seguir al líder y usted es el líder

- English, 13-06-12895 and Spanish, 13-06-12895a □ Magic Cup/en algún lugar, hay una taza mágica que hará desaparecer el biberón de su hijo - English,

13-06-12896 and Spanish, 13-06-12896a □ Balance/el equilibrio require práctica – English, 13-06-12897 and Spanish, 13-06-12897a □ Pestering Programming/¿Por qué dejar que la TV elija toda la programación – English, 13-06-12898

and Spanish, 13-06-12898a If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Shellie Shores, Nutrition Education Coordinator, Nutrition Education/Clinic Services Unit, at (512) 341-4516, or shellie.shores@dshs.state.tx.us. Attachments

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

A love for beans.

A love for broccoli.

A love for eggs.

A love for milk.

A love for oatmeal.

A love for oranges.

A love for sweet potatoes.

A love for tomatoes.

A love for whole wheat bread.

A love for yogurt.

give your child 10 tasteful gifts

that will last a lifetime

BEANSBean up on Quesadillas. Place a flour or corn tortilla in a small pan. Sprinkle with canned beans and shredded or sliced cheese. Heat on stove until cheese melts. Slice into pie-shaped pieces and serve. (Add chopped tomatoes, onions and avocado, if desired, after heating.) Great for snacks, breakfast, dinner—anytime!

BroccoliChildren love to eat what they help prepare. Put a small amount of olive oil in a spray bottle. Have your child lightly spray cooked broccoli with olive oil. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

EggSThis three-minute recipe is perfect for breakfast, meals or snacks. Crack hard-cooked eggs and smash them with a fork. Add 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard and/or mayonnaise. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spread on crackers or bread for a tasty sandwich.

MilkColor milk fun! Make a glass of milk fun by stirring in 1 drop of yellow food coloring to make Sun Fun milk, one drop of blue food coloring for Jungle Juice, or 1 drop of green food coloring to make Dinosaur Delight.

oAtMEAlKids will flip for these pancakes! Combine 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and ¾ cup orange juice in a small bowl. In a larger bowl, mix together 1 cup flour, 1 cup rolled oats, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder and ½ teaspoon salt. Stir egg mixture into dry ingredients. Heat large frying pan lightly coated with oil or cooking spray and let the magic begin. Makes 9 medium pancakes.

orANgESChildren love to make fruit kabobs. Cut oranges and other fruit like bananas and grapes into bite-sized pieces. Arrange fruit on a piece of uncooked spaghetti or thin wooden stick. Great snack or dessert!

SwEEt potAtoESYou can feel good serving these healthy “French fries.” Cut sweet potato into the shape of French fries. Lightly coat with oil and add a light sprinkling of salt and pepper. Bake in 425˚ oven for 30 minutes. (Save time! Cut the sweet potato into 8-10 wedges.)

toMAtoESPower up kid favorites with tomatoes. Add grape tomatoes cut into quarters to macaroni and cheese. Place a sliced tomato on grilled cheese sandwiches.

wholE-whEAt BrEAdFill them up with whole-wheat goodness. Toast one slice whole-wheat bread. Spread lightly with cream cheese. Arrange sliced strawberries and blueberries over the cream cheese. (For extra fun, arrange the strawberries and blueberries to resemble the flag. Salute!)

YogurtA guaranteed smile-maker! Sprinkle Grape-Nuts® in the bottom of a cup or bowl. Add a spoonful of lemon or vanilla yogurt. Add a tablespoon of fruit. (Canned mandarin oranges are great.) Sprinkle Grape-Nuts® on top.

how to “package” the gifts that keep on giving

13-06-12900 5/08

This institution is an equal-opportunity provider.

© 2008 Department of State Health Services. Nutrition Services Section. All rights reserved.

Reprinted with permission of the Massachusetts WIC Nutrition Program Cover photography by Michael Young www.yamstudio.com

Set a smart example. Sooner or later, kids will do as you do.

meals are a great time to play follow-the-leader

and you're the leader

how a mother’s devotion led to a healthy family (and lowered the weekly grocery bill!)

“I grew up in a large family—eleven people in all. With eight brothers and sisters my parents had to be economical. Meals were always filling yet thrifty foods like spaghetti, and lots of it. Once in a while my mother would add a can of vegetables to the meal but we rarely ate fresh fruits or vegetables.

My son’s pediatrician told me that eating habits are set by age five. That shocked me. I realized I had a huge responsibility. I wanted my child to learn healthy eating habits early so he would have them throughout his life.

I had never considered myself to have particularly healthy eating habits, but practically overnight I started buying and eating healthier foods. Sure, I could have served these foods to my son and continued eating candy and other old favorites. But I knew I couldn’t keep this game up forever, and it just seemed easier to learn to like what I wanted my child to eat. Besides, not only did I want to set a good example, I wanted to stay healthy for my son, too.

Now most of what I buy is vegetables and fruit, yet remarkably my weekly grocery bill is less than my friends’ bills. I don’t buy the more expensive organic produce or produce that is out of season. We don’t keep a

lot of unhealthy snacks around either. And we don’t depend on fast-food meals. I learned early that huge servings of meat and a reliance on fast-food meals add up to far more than my produce-heavy bill.

Others are amazed at how my children eat. Avocado sprinkled with garlic powder is always a big hit. The older children scoop it out of the shell with a spoon—the perfect 30 second snack. Salads are a favorite too when drizzled with a light touch of ranch dressing. Tomato slices are devoured when sprinkled with cheese and a little olive oil and vinegar.

Meal time is a peaceful time at our house because we respect each other enough not to comment on what others eat. I don’t hang over them encouraging them to try this or that, or ordering them to eat more. I offer about five healthy foods on a plate and say nothing. Giving them independence to listen to their own body has resulted in children who eat just until they are full.

It’s been a great investment: five years of healthy eating for a lifetime of not just healthy habits but healthy living. I never guessed I would also receive the extra bonus of learning to like healthy foods myself. I’m so proud of the way my children eat—and I’m proud of myself, too.”

Virginia’s Tips for Healthy Eating Habits (and keeping the grocery bill down):

• Set a good example by adopting healthy eating habits yourself.

• Offer a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

• Resist fast food meals and meals that depend on huge servings of meat.

• Offer healthy meals to your children and let them decide how much is enough.

13-06-12895 5/08

This institution is an equal-opportunity provider.

© 2008 Department of State Health Services. Nutrition Services Section. All rights reserved.

Reprinted with permission of the Massachusetts WIC Nutrition ProgramCover photography by Michael Young www.yamstudio.com

Simplify the transition from bottle to cup with a little creative thinking.

somewhere there's a magic cup that will make

your child's bottle vanish

Karlene’s tips for easy bottle to cup transition.

• Usethebottleonlyforfeeding.Don’tallowhertowalkaroundorplaywiththebottle.

• Neverallowhertotakethebottletobed.• Offerwaterinthecupifyourbabyisthirstyat

night.• Makejuiceanoccasionaltreatduring

weaning—butneverinthebottle.• Provideotherformsofcomfortlikesinging,

readingandplaying.Karlene and Karyanah-Faith

“Forme,feedingmybabyisallaboutlove.Iloveourtalktimetogether,evenwhennowordsarespoken.Ilovecuddling.Mostofall,Ilovehavingababywhodependsonmeforeverything.Thebottlewasasourceofcomfortformeaswellasmybaby.

Karyanah-Faithismylastchild.Whenthedoctorsuggestedweaninghertoacupatsixmonths,Iresentedtheidea.Afterall,thatmeantmybabywasgrowingup.Sowhat’swrongwithkeepingachildonabottleuntiltwoorolder?

Afterdaysofsulking,IrealizedIwasbeingselfish.I’mamother,andmothershelptheirchildreachmilestones.Theycelebrateindependence,notfosterdependence.Andtheyalwaysprotecttheirchild.Irealizedthatmychildwasdependingonmeforeverything—includingknowinghowtoprotectherteethfrombabybottletoothdecay.

SoIstartedthetransitionfrombottletocup.First,Igaveheremptycupstoplaywithforafewdays.Noneedtobuyspecialcups—regularcupswork.Ifirstintroducedthecupatthemiddaymeal.(Karyanah-Faithstilllovedto

becuddledwhenshefirstwokeupandatbedtime.)Istillheldherinmylapwhileofferingthecup.

Itwasn’tabigdeal.Ijustkeepofferingthecupeveryday.Afterafewweeks,Iintroduceditatbreakfastandthendinner.Oneday,ataround14or15months,shewasoffthebottle.Itwasprobablymoretraumaticformethanher.

Ididlearnafewtricksthatmadethetransitioneasier.Simplethingslikesquigglystrawstakethefocusoffthecup.Songslike“ForShe’sABigGirlNow”(sungtothetuneof“ForHe’sAJollyGoodFellow”)makeitanadventure.AndwereverttothebottleduringstressfultimeslikewhenKaryanah-Faithwassickorchangeddaycare.

I’mproudthatmychildhasmadethetransitionfrombottletocup.Beingbottle-freemeansIdon’thavetoworryaboutrottenteethorgettingtoomuchmilk.Andbestofall,whenKaryanah-Faithhitstheterribletwoswe’llhaveonelessthingtofightabout—untilwestarttoilettraining.”

karlene's story: "I'm proud my child made the transition from bottle to cup"

13-06-12896 5/08

This institution is an equal-opportunity provider.

© 2008 Department of State Health Services. Nutrition Services Section. All rights reserved.

Reprinted with permission of the Massachusetts WIC Nutrition Program Cover photography by Michael Young www.yamstudio.com

By balancing fast foods with healthy foods and exercise, you can maintain a healthy lifestyle.

balance takes

practice

“For busy parents like me, fast-food restaurants are survival tools. They come in handy when my kids and I are out and about. And we’re out and about a lot. One of my daughter’s first words was ‘Donald’s’. She can spot those arches a mile away.

Naturally, I started worrying about how much fast food they were eating. Even when it’s only once in a while, it still adds up—especially for a little kid. So I started to come up with ways to eliminate some of the fast food without totally eliminating fast-food restaurants.

First of all, I always order for my kids. Not only does it save time and hassle, but it lets me pick milk for them instead of soda. Sure, they might be happier with fruit punch or pink lemonade, but I think their bones are happier with milk. And when their bones are happier, I’m happier.

One important thing I learned is not to keep switching back and forth. Once you switch them to milk, try to stick with it. If you give in to them once, they’ll try to get you to give in again. It’s amazing how good a kid’s memory is!

Of course, they always want fries. I split them up between my kids—that way each of them only gets half as much grease. And I let them dip the fries in ketchup. That makes my kids eat slower, and they get filled up faster.

They love to eat. But there’s no sense giving a tiny kid a burger that’s almost as big as the kid is. So I always buy a small sandwich.

Dessert? Forget it. For my kids, dessert is the playland. I can get them involved in fun and games, and they don’t miss the sweets one bit.

When we’re not out and about, we’re in. And when we’re in, there’s pizza—delivered. That’s the best way to sneak veggies into them. I’ve been doing that as long as they’ve been eating pizza. I mean, with all that cheese, who needs the extra fat from meat? Not them, and not me either. And if I did add sausage or pepperoni, the kids would probably start picking off the veggies. Why tempt them?

Anyway, that’s what I do. It might not work for every family. But it works for ours. And if your family has gotten into the fast-food rut, I’ll bet you can find something that will work for you.”

Ygra’s fast-food tips.

• ThINk SmAll: small hamburgers, fries, drinks• ThINk WhITE: milk instead of soda• ThINk lIghT: low-calorie rather than regular salad dressing• ThINk AhEAD: order sandwiches without mayonnaise• ThINk SmArT: order foods grilled instead of fried• ThINk lOW-FAT: order veggie instead of meat pizza

Ygra, with daughter Nabrioska

how Ygra makes the best of her kids’ fast-food meals

13-06-12897 5/08

This institution is an equal-opportunity provider.

© 2008 Department of State Health Services. Nutrition Services Section. All rights reserved.

Reprinted with permission of the Massachusetts WIC Nutrition Program

Combat “Pester Power” and take control of your child's values.

why should TV do all the programming?

1. Don’tdowhatyourchildwantssimplybecausethey“hearditonTV.”Sayingnoisthemostpowerfulwaytokeepthingsundercontrol.

2. Talktoyourchildaboutadvertising–explainthatadstrytomakepeoplewantthingstheymaynotneed.

3. Avoidaislesthatcontainheavilymarketedfoods.Spendtimesmelling,touchingandviewingcolorfulproduceintheproduceaisle.

4. Talkabouthowyouchoosefoods.Explainwhat’simportanttoyou.

1. Askquestionsthatencourageyourchildtothinktwiceaboutwhattheyseeinanad.Someexamplesofquestionsyoucouldask:

• Doyouthinkbuyingthatitemwillmakeyouhappier?

• Doyouthinkwhatyoujustsawinthatadcouldreallyhappen?

• Didyouwantthatitembeforeseeingthead?

• Doyoureallythink“everyonehasone”–oronlytheTVcharacter?

2. Helpyourchildbecome“adversed”bywatchingandanalyzingcommercialstogether.Askquestionslike:

• Howdidthatcommercialmakeyouwantthatitem?

• Whatpartofthecommercialislikereallife?Whatpartdidn’tseemreal?

• Doyouthinkthatcartooncharacterreallyusesthatproduct?

• What’sthedifferencebetween“needing”and“wanting”something?

• Howwouldbuyingthatitemmakesomeone’slifebetter?

• WhatwouldyousaytoafriendwhowantedtobuythatitembecausetheysawitonTV?

• Doyouthinkthatproductwillhelporhurtyourhealth?

don’t give advertising the power to let your child

pester you into making bad choices

how to fight back

Tips for helping younger children limit exposure to ads:

• Watchshowsonnon-commercialTV.

• Tapeprogramsandfast-forwardthroughtheads.

• Dancewithyourchildduringcommercialstodivertattention.

how to fight back as your child grows older

13-06-12898 5/08

This institution is an equal-opportunity provider.

© 2008 Department of State Health Services. Nutrition Services Section. All rights reserved.

Reprinted with permission of the Massachusetts WIC Nutrition Program

Eat healthy foods for a slow and steady weight gain. This gives your baby the healthiest start possible—and gives you the kickstart to return to your pre-pregnancy weight.

Putting on weight with

healthy foodsmakes taking it off a lot easier

“Every mom wants a healthy baby. As a first time mother, I believed that eating, snacking, and resting were the right things to do to have a healthy baby. Sure, when you’re pregnant you need to rest and eat a bit more than usual, but I was an overachiever in this area. Eating and resting became my specialty and I gained 40 pounds.

I learned many lessons that helped me during my next two pregnancies. For one thing, babies don’t need a lot of food. They need high-quality food. Healthy food. Being pregnant isn’t a license to overeat but rather a time to eat more fruits and veggies, low-fat milk, lean meats, and whole grains.

I also learned that walking can be more relaxing than “relaxing”. During my next pregnancies I looked forward to walking as often as I could. It was nice to have that time alone to reflect on my life and the one growing in me. I always returned home with a smile.

By making small changes like walking more and eating nutrition-packed foods, I gained just the right amount of weight with my other pregnancies. I had more energy and a better mental attitude while pregnant. The deliveries were less difficult. And losing the weight was easier and quicker. I was doing everything I could for myself, my babies, and my family and that felt good.

My husband knows that pregnancy can be a stressful time. He didn’t seem to mind my weight gain. He knows that pregnancy and weight go hand in hand and he expected changes. But I know he enjoyed the second two pregnancies more because I felt more comfortable without the huge weight gain. He sensed I was happier—and I was.

Whether you’re pregnant with your first or seventh, take it from me: eat smaller amounts of healthy foods and walk daily. You’ll thank yourself later.”

Carla, with daughter

the ultimate pregnancy makeover

13-06-12899 5/08

This institution is an equal-opportunity provider.

© 2008 Department of State Health Services. Nutrition Services Section. All rights reserved.

Reprinted with permission of the Massachusetts WIC Nutrition Program