Good Morning Harper! I've made you some breakfast. I hope you like it!

Aww, but I wanted a cookie!

I'm sorry, but a cookie is not a healthy breakfast food. Breakfast must be full of balanced nutrition to help get your body and brain into gear for the day. We have a banana, whole grain toast, boiled egg and a glass of water.

But that tastes yucky! I just want a cookie!

There are so many nutritious foods that will taste good. They are almost magical, because even though you can't see inside, they are helping your body and brain work hard and stay healthy.

But do I always have to eat nutritious? I really love cookies!

Hi There! It seems like you need some help!

Wow! Who are you?

My name is Nutritious Nancy! I know all about nutritious eating and how to help you know what is good for you!

Eating healthy is important to help you grow and develop. According to the Centers for Disease and Control(2017), children should eat a balanced variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy each day.

Here are some examples of each of these groups:

Fruits- Apples, Bananas, Oranges, and Berries

Vegetables- Broccoli, Spinach, Peas, Asparagus, Carrots

Grains(These provide your body's energy!)- Brown Rice, Whole grain Bread, oats, quinoa

Protein- Chicken, Eggs, Almonds, Meat and Fish

Dairy- Milk, Yogurt, Cheese

(ChooseMyPlate.gov, n.d.)

Eating healthy every day can also help protect you from getting illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. Together with physical activity, it can also keep you at a healthy weight, so you don't weigh too much or to little(NEA.org.2019).

But can I still eat cookies?

Sure! As long as you don't eat a lot, and not every day.

What happens if I don't eat enough nutritious foods every day?

Then your body begins to slow down and you will feel tired, and you can get sick easier.

As you grow, you will need even more nutritious foods each day to keep up. You also need to drink lots of water to keep your body hydrated. Try not to drink a lot of juices. They contain too much sugar and will not help your body (HealthyChildren.org, 2016).

How will I know if what I'm eating is nutritious?

You can always ask a grown up such as your parents or your teachers to help!

Hey Mom! Since Harper is still very young, it is up to you and other grownups in her life to get her into healthy eating habits. School is a great place to partner with for this! According to the National Education Association, students who eat breakfast at school actually helps children perform better!

Partnering with school and her teachers is a great idea!

What a great idea! Sometimes I don't know what Harper should eat, or how much. It would be helpful to talk to her teachers for suggestions.