Tummy Rumbles helping create healthy kids

9 July 2009

We know that healthy eating is important for our kids, but it can be difficult to navigate your way through the myriad of advertising, information and latest research about healthy eating and nutrition in children.

A helpful new resource for parents, carers and people who work with young children has been designed by dietitians from the Lower Hunter. The easy-to-use Tummy Rumbles program aims to boost knowledge of childhood nutrition and promote healthy eating behaviours and lifestyles.

“Tummy Rumbles is an exciting new resource that takes parents, carers and childcare workers through a range of modules about childhood nutrition,” Dietitian Tina Littlejohns said.

“It covers a wide range of topics - from nutrition during pregnancy and after the birth of your child to advice on starting family foods, food allergies, making sense of food labels and what to do with a fussy eater.

“Tummy Rumbles also covers good oral health, body image in young children; and the importance of fluid, fibre and physical activity.

“Parents will really love the healthy lunchbox ideas and tips on how to eat healthily on a budget,” Tina said.

Dietitian Carmen Burgess said each module contains learning activities as well as some helpful extras with additional nutrition resources, food activities for children, frequently asked questions and multicultural information.

“Tummy Rumbles is interactive and visually stimulating and each module contains a quiz at the end to enhance learning,” Carmen said.

The program was originally developed to train child care workers in the Lower Hunter to educate parents on nutrition needs of young children.

“To date, about 65 per cent of child care centres in the Lower Hunter have been trained in the use of the Tummy Rumbles manual,” Carmen explained.

“In 2008, with the assistance of nutrition and dietetics students at the University of Newcastle, the manual was converted to a self-directed learning CD aimed at parents and carers as well.

“In May this year, a further four modules were developed to enhance the reach of Tummy Rumbles by including topics relevant to child and family health nurses, paediatric nurses, oral health teams and midwives,” she said.

Copies of Tummy Rumbles can be purchased by calling 4991 0425.

Contact: Shannon Ramadge

Phone: 6767 7136