Help Your Little One Become a “Plate Champion” 

March is going to be a busy month! In addition to the start of spring and the NCAA basketball tournament, March is also Nutrition Awareness Month.  

In 2021–22, only 60.5% of low-income children ages 2–4 in Northampton County is at a healthy birth weight. This is below our minimum standard of 70%, according to the Community Early Childhood Profile of the North Carolina Smart Start Partnership for Children. 

Let’s encourage our families to be “plate champions” by making healthy food choices this month and every month. 

Nutrition Tips for Families 

Nutrition is a very important part of a healthy family. Show the little ones in your life how to develop healthy eating habits. The USDA tips below can help your whole family become “plate champions.” 

Please note: The tips below are suggestions only.Your family may have special medical and nutritional needs, so consult a health care provider for guidance on diet and exercise. 

• Fill half of your plate with fruit and vegetables.
• Try whole grains—oatmeal, whole wheat breads, brown rice—at mealtime.
• Drink water or low-fat, fat-free milk or lactose-free milk when you’re thirsty.
• Mix up your proteins. Include a variety of protein-rich foods such as beans, lentils, nuts, eggs, meats, poultry or seafood.
• Get involved at mealtime. Help set the table, stir ingredients or make the salad.
• Get active and move your body. Walk to school, ride a bike or play with friends.

Budget-Friendly Food Shopping Tips 

Eating healthy can get expensive, but here are a few tips to help control your budget: 

• Write a grocery list and stick to it when shopping.
• Use coupons and buy generic products whenever possible.
• Don’t shop on impulse.
• Don’t shop with the kids when everyone is hungry and tired.
• Skip highly processed foods, which can be more expensive and less nutritionally balanced than fresh food.
• Eat out less.
• Pack a lunch for everyone.
• Get creative with leftovers. Eating leftovers means less food is wasted.
• Keep your pantry and fridge organized to prevent unnecessary purchases.

Recommended Books 

Here are a few books to enjoy with your family as you become “plate champions”: 

• Good Enough to Eat: A Kid’s Guide to Food and Nutrition by Lizzy Rockwell
• Ultimate Kids’ Guide to Being Super Healthy: What You Need to Know About Nutrition, Exercise, Sleep, Hygiene, Stress, Screen Time, and More by Dr. Nina L. Shapiro and Nicole Grimes
• When I Eat Plants by Mary Parkinson and Imani Dumas