This Episode Covers the Following Topics and More:

• Building Healthy Habits at Home
• Community Resources and Programs such as WIC and SNAP
• Helping Children Learn About Food
• Offering Variety: Color, Texture, Child Approved and Culturally Considerate
• How to Approach Meal Planning and Selecting Foods that Meet Your Family's Needs (Nutritionally and Budget Friendly)
• Understanding Hunger Cues (feeling hungry, feeling full)
• Food Insecurity in the US and Poor Child Health
• The Importance of Eating Family Style
• Reading Food Labels
• Shopping Local
• Shopping Foods in Season to Save Money
• Adding in Plant-Based Meals
• Therapeutic Diet (disabilities, allergies, restrictions, under or over weight children)

About Maves Ra​ñola

Maves V. Ra​ñola is a Registered Dietitian with over 22 years of experience in public health and community nutrition. She is currently the Director of Nutrition Services for Lutheran Services Florida Children and Head Start Program.

She graduated with a BS in Food and Nutrition from Florida State University and completed her dietetic internship at Florida International University. She earned the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s certificate in pediatric weight management and the Florida Family Development Credential from Florida Gulf Coast University. Maves worked as part of a program that earned national recognition by First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Child Care Initiative for its obesity prevention efforts.

Maves has focused her career to help improve the health and wellness of the children and families she serves.  She is a Certified Lactation Counselor, Yoga for Kids and Families Teacher, Zumba® and Zumba® for Kids and Kids Jr. Instructor. She is a mom of two teenage sons, 2 dogs, and is currently living in Central Florida.