Tiny Sprouts Nutrition

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Boo 👻 Happy Halloween 🎃

🎃Discover the sweet spot between treats and health for your little ones this Halloween season.

From finding the perfect "sweet spot" to guiding children through mindful eating, learn expert advice to ensure a health-conscious yet fun-filled trick-or-treat season.

Click https://www.tinysproutsnutrition.com/blog to find out how to foster a positive relationship with food while creating lasting memories this Halloween! 👻🌟

Did you know that children under 4 are more prone to choking while eating? Their small airways can get easily blocked because they're still mastering the art of chewing. Here's how you can make mealtimes safer:

Food Prep for Safety - To ensure a safer eating experience, try these tips:

✅Steam or cook hard foods like carrots until they're fork-tender.
✅Remove seeds, pits, and tough peels from fruits and veggies.
✅Cut foods into thin slices, strips, or pieces (max 1/2 inch), especially when serving raw fruits and vegetables, as these foods may be harder to chew.
✅Mash and puree foods as needed.
✅Remove bones from fish, chicken, and meat before cooking.
✅Grind up tough meats and poultry

Avoid Chocking Hazards Foods - To help prevent chocking, avoid serving small (marble-sized), hard, or sticky foods that are difficult to chew and can be swallowed whole such as:
🚫Cheese (only serve grated or thinly sliced)
🚫Hard candies, gums, gummy snacks, marshmallows
🚫Popcorn and Pretzels
🚫Spoonfuls of nut butters (only serve creamy nut butters and thinly spread on other foods)
🚫Nuts & Seeds
🚫Round and tube-shaped foods like carrots, olives, grapes, cherries, cherry tomatoes (only serve by either steaming/cooking the food until fork tender, or by slicing half lengthwise and then slicing again into pieces no larger than 1/2 inch)

❗️In addition to everything listed, avoid serving foods that are as wide around as a nickel❗️

Teach good Eating Habits: these can also reduce the risk of choking while eating.

💚Sit down with your little ones during meals and snacks.
💚Encourage them to take small bites, chew thoroughly, and swallow before talking or laughing.
💚Mealtime should be sitting down at the table or high chair.
💚Allocate ample time for meals and snacks.
💚Ensure children are seated upright while eating.
💚Lead by example with slow, mindful eating.
💚Encourage older kids to be role models.
💚And finally, keep food and games separate to minimize choking risks.

Found this post useful? Share it with fellow parents and caregivers who can benefit from nurturing positive eating habits in kids. 💛

Resource: USDA Food and Nutrition Services

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In a world where portion sizes can seem supersized, let's rediscover 'Smart Portions' – a serving that's just right for YOUR body. It's not about deprivation or overindulgence; it's about finding that perfect balance that leaves you comfortably satisfied after your meal. It's about finding harmony on your plate and in your body.

Here's a beautiful truth: Kids, in their purest form, have an innate wisdom about when to begin and end a meal. It's like they hold the secret recipe to intuitive eating.

The reality is, we were all once kids and due to various factors - the way we were raised, societal influences, and/or personal experiences - we lost touch with this innate wisdom.

Now, it's our responsibility as parents and caretakers to respect and support the intuitive eating instincts of our children.

Instead of focusing so much in the amount of food your child it's not eating. Let's focus on the type of food we provide. Aim for nutritious foods most of the time, promote balanced meals, and encourage that natural wisdom to thrive. It's a journey of nourishing not only their bodies but their relationship with food for life.

Found this post useful? Share it with fellow parents and caregivers who can benefit from nurturing positive eating habits in kids. 💛

At Tiny Sprouts Nutrition, we're on a mission to 'Plant the Seeds of Good Health.'

We believe that teaching kids about nutrition should be an exciting adventure, and that's exactly what we bring to the table (pun intended!) with our interactive classes.

With the perfect blend of fun, creativity, and a nurturing environment, we aim to inspire your little ones to embark on a journey to explore the colorful world of food. Through this exploration, they'll discover the joys of balanced eating and lay the foundation for lifelong healthy habits.

But why is it so crucial for kids to actively participate in activities like the ones we offer?

🧠 Cognitive Boost: Play and learn activities enhance cognitive development, promoting better thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

👩‍🍳 Nutrition-Related Skills: With us, they'll not only learn about their food preferences but also gain valuable nutrition-related skills that will benefit them in countless ways.

👏 Independence & Confidence: Encouraging kids to actively participate in learning fosters a sense of independence, helping them become self-sufficient. As they create delicious mini-meals and snacks, they'll gain a boost in self-confidence, knowing they have the power to nourish themselves.

🌞 Self-Awareness: Children discover a deeper connection with their bodies, utilizing mindfulness as a tool to help them understand how their bodies respond to various foods, fostering self-awareness from a young age.

So, join us at Tiny Sprouts Nutrition and watch your child's potential flourish in an environment filled with fun and discovery!

Let's sow the seeds of a lifelong love for healthful foods and healthy habits together!"

Four Tips for Nurturing positive Eating Habits:

1. Model healthful eating behaviors and practices: kids learn by watching, so your choices can model the way for building a strong foundation to a lifetime of good health.

2. Introduce variety of nutritious foods from different food groups: a variety from within each food group is as important. Keep in mind that no individual food can supply all the essential nutrients necessary for overall well-being!

3. Offer the same type of food multiple times & in various ways: remember that it takes ~10 (or more) exposures to a new food before it is accepted.

4. Involve kids in shopping, meal preparation and cooking: when they participate in these activities, they are more likely to try new foods, also, they learn to appreciate the efforts that goes into making a meal.

Remember, patience is key – make mealtime a joyful and relax experience for your little ones!

Found these tips useful? Share them with fellow parents and caregivers who can benefit from nurturing positive eating habits in kids. 💛

Munch & Learn is an event led by myself, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP).

This class is great for selective eaters and children with sensory aversions!

Your child will have the chance to:
• participate in language-rich cooking activities 👩‍🍳
• explore new foods 🥑
• learn about nutrition 📖
• practice fine-motor skills like slicing and chopping with safety knives🔪
• and play in food-themed sensory bins 🥄

Parents will learn simple strategies for building healthy habits and supporting language development.

For ages 2-5.
Reserve your spot at www.tinysproutsnutrition.com

‼️New class coming up‼️

November 11th in Delray Beach 💛

Led by a speech-language pathologist and registered dietitian nutritionist, this class is great for selective eaters and children with sensory aversions!

Your child will have the chance to:
• particpate in language-rich cooking activities 👩‍🍳
• explore new foods 🥑
• learn about nutrition 📖
• practice fine-motor skills like slicing and chopping with safety knives🔪
• and play in food-themed sensory bins 🥄

Parents will learn simple strategies for building healthy habits and supporting language development.

For ages 2-5.

Reserve your spot at thefunslp.com!

What our children eat is very important, but so is the way we introduce foods to them. 🍎🥦

Both the content of our children's diet and how we introduce new foods play crucial roles in shaping their nutrition, taste preferences, and eating habits.

When we restrict certain foods or use them as rewards, these may become more desirable to the child. Therefore, limiting access might actually boost the child's craving!

Forcing children to eat specific foods can lead to them developing dislikes for those foods later on. 🙅‍♂️🍽️ Mealtime should be a fun, relax, positive and exciting experience for our children.

As parents and caregivers, we have the power to positively influence our children's evolving food preferences by setting a healthy example.

Let's nurture our children's bodies and cultivate positive eating habits together! 🌟👩‍👦‍👦

We have a winner!

Congratulations!! @vacastanhari 🎉 Please get in contact with @fun.ctional.slp or myself for more details!! We will see you soon 💛 #giveawaywinner

🥦👦Simple, Child-Approved & Nutrient-Packed Broccoli Bites🍽️

Looking for a kid-friendly mini-meal/side that's healthy and delicious? Look no further! I made this for Mateo, and they were a hit. I had to have some as well as they came out really good!😋

I didn't measure everything, so I apologize for that. I will give you a guesstimation of how much to use. That's the fun part about cooking, you can add your magic and make it work for you.

Ingredients:

Steamed broccoli 🥦 ~1.5 cup
Almond flour 🌰 ~ 5Tbsp
1 egg 🥚(you could also use Flax eggs instead, mixing 1 Tbsp of flaxseed meal with 2.5 Tbsp water)
Seasoning of your choice 🧂I used, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder and a little bit of salt.

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 °F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Steam the broccoli and then, mash it well. You could use a food processor, but I rather use the fork. Less stuff to clean-up later, you know what I mean 😏.
Add an egg for binding and extra protein, or flax-egg.
Add the almond flour for a nutty crunch. Season it up to your taste. Mix it all together and shape the mixture into 6 bite-sized burger shape. Spray the bites with a little olive oil and bake for ~20 minutes, flipping them half way.

Pro Tip: These bites can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Perfect for a quick and healthy snack! 🥦👌

You can make them with different veggies and different flours and even add cheese to it.

Give them a try and let me know what you think. It's a great way to get some extra veggies into your kiddo's diet! 💚

🚨GIVEAWAY🚨

Enter to win a class!

We are giving away ONE FREE registration for our Munch & Learn: Spooky Pizza Playdate!

Here's how to enter:
❤️ Like this post.
➕️ Follow .ctional.slp and
👭🏻 Tag three friends in the comments section.
📣 Share this post to your story.

The giveaway closes at 5:00pm on October 10th.

Good luck!

For more information about this event visit www.thefunslp.com

📢 Exciting October Events Await!📢

Join us for TWO incredible events this October that promise fun, learning, and delicious adventures!

🌟 Event 1: “Munch & Learn"

🗣️ Language EnrichmentActivities
👩‍🍳 Hands-On Cooking Class
🎨 Sensory Play Activities
🥦 Nutrition Education

Date: October 14, 2023
Time: 10:30 AM
Location:

Get ready to embark on a journey where Speech-Language Pathologist, Sarah Stichter from .ctional.slp and I join forces to create an unforgettable experience. Your little ones will explore the world of food (great for “selective eaters”), participate in language-rich and sensory play activities, and discover the importance of healthy eating, all while having a blast!

Don't miss this unique collaboration that will leave your child engaged, educated, and excited about food!

🌟 Event 2: "Tiny Food Explorers Launch"

❌❌❌CANCELED❌❌❌

🍽️ Different Nutrition Topics
🫐Fun Nutrition Activities
👨‍🍳Hands-on cooking (mini meals/snacks)

Date: October 19, 2023
Time: 3:30 PM
Location:

Introducing the launch of "Tiny Food Explorers" – a series of classes, where I, will guide little ones to explore the world of nutrition, one topic at a time. Each class will be an adventure, exploring a variety of foods and their health benefits.

Your child will gain valuable information about nutrition while enjoying tasty bites and interactive experiences.

🎉Reserve your spot as these are limited!!🎉

For more details and to secure your spot, visit the link on my Bio.

We can't wait to see you there! 🍽️🧡🗣️🍏🎨

MUNCH & LEARN
Coming to Delray this 14th of October at 10:30 am!

MUNCH & LEARN: Pizza Pie Playdate — Tiny Sprouts Nutrition DATE & TIME: October 14, 2023, 10:30 AM LOCATION: CLASS CoLEARN CoNNECT 1880 Dr. Andres Way, Delray Beach, FL 33445 *EARLY BIRD SPECIAL 20% OFF* *This class is for children 2-5 years old* Inspire little ones to explore a diverse world of food (great for selective eaters and/o

What to Expect from Our Classes:

• Each program is thoughtfully structured to captivate young minds. Expect interactive activities, colorful visuals, and stories that ignite your child's curiosity about food and nutrition.
• We explore a variety of food groups, from fruits and vegetables to grains and proteins. Through hands-on experiences, children learn about the benefits of each group and how they contribute to their well-being.
• Our no-cook cooking activities turn your child into a confident little chef. From crafting playful snacks to assembling mini-meals, children gain valuable kitchen skills while having a blast.
• We believe in empowering children to make informed choices. Our programs encourage them to express their preferences, try new foods, and develop a positive relationship with eating.
• With Tiny Sprouts Nutrition, every session is a step toward exploration, growth, and creating a lifetime of health. Together, we sow the seeds of knowledge, nurture healthy habits, and watch our tiny sprouts flourish.

In the United States, we use something called the Healthy Eating Index, or HEI, to check how well our diets match up with what is recommended in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Think of it like a scorecard for our food choices, with a perfect score being 100. That would mean we're eating in line with all the healthful recommendations.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. When we look at the HEI-2020 score for our little ones aged 12 to 23 months, it's at 63 out of 100. And the total score for 2 years old and older, it's even lower, at 58 out of 100. This tells us something important - our food choices aren't quite hitting the mark when it comes to what's best for our health.

Here's another crucial fact: 8 out of 10 Americans are feeling pretty confused when it comes to nutrition recommendations. It's no wonder that sometimes it's hard to make the right choices.

As a registered dietitian and a mom, it's my mission to share reliable info and helpful tools with my community. Together, we can take steps toward better eating habits, building a positive relationship with food and helping our kids and family to reduce the risk of health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.

Remember, we're in this journey together!

Resource: USDA Food and Nutrition Services

Why Choose Tiny Sprouts Nutrition?

1) As a dedicated Registered Dietitian, I bring years of experience and knowledge to the table. Your child's health and well-being are our top priorities, and our programs are carefully crafted to provide accurate, science-based nutrition education.

2) Learning about nutrition has never been this fun! Our programs blend hands-on activities, creative storytelling, and age-appropriate games to make every session an exciting adventure in discovery.

3) We understand the importance of early childhood nutrition in shaping lifelong habits. Our programs empower children with the knowledge and enthusiasm to make wholesome food choices, setting them on a path to grow strong and thrive.

4) Joining Tiny Sprouts Nutrition means becoming part of a nurturing community that values health and education. Caregivers are essential partners in this journey, and we provide resources and guidance to ensure a seamless experience.

Whether you have questions about our programs, want to discuss healthy eating strategies for your family, or simply want to connect, we are here to help!
Looking forward to connecting with you!

Hello there! I'm Karen Varela, founder of Tiny Sprouts Nutrition, mother of baby boy Mateo, and a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). My journey has taken me through diverse paths in my career, from clinical settings to corporate wellness, and community providing nutrition education programs for both kids and adults.

However, the journey took an even more personal turn when I embraced motherhood myself. Experiencing this incredible role firsthand made me realize just how crucial social interactions are, not only for my child but also for myself. It was during this time that I decided to explore a “mommy and me” style class, and that's where the spark ignited. This experience laid the foundation for my very own venture.

My vision was clear: I wanted to bring the world of nutrition education to kids in a way that's engaging and interactive. Simultaneously, I envisioned a space where moms (and caregivers) could come together, and find support in one another. I firmly believe (and research shows) that teaching children about healthy eating habits from an early age can sow the seeds for positive eating behaviors throughout life.

Through Tiny Sprouts Nutrition, I aspire to empower children and families to embrace healthful choices in a way that feels exciting and engaging. Moreover, I'm dedicated to cultivating a warm community among moms (and caregivers) fostering an environment of shared experiences and mutual support. Here's to nurturing healthy bodies, minds, and relationships!