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Nutrition Education for Kids: Teaching Healthy Choices for a Bright Future

Discover the importance of nutrition in children's lives and how poor choices can impact their long-term health. Learn how teachers can integrate nutrition lessons into various subjects, like math, science, and social studies, to promote a healthier lifestyle. Explore resources like MyPyramid worksheets and online tools that support interactive learning. Start creating teachable moments to empower children to make nutritious choices for a healthier future.

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Nutrition Education for Kids: Teaching Healthy Choices for a Bright Future

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  1. Kids and Nutrition-Finding Those Teachable Moments Judy Mitnick, M.S., R.D.

  2. Nutrition Has Serious Current and Long Term Effects on our Children’s Lives • The prevalence of childhood obesity has tripled in just three decades (Inst. Of Medicine and the National Research Council) • Chronic diseases once only associated with adulthood are seen more frequently in children and youth (Type II Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Cholesterol) • Poor school performance can be linked to poor nutritional choices

  3. Competition for a Student’s Classroom Time • Teachers more pressured than ever to meet curriculum standards • Less time for “formal” nutrition lessons • Less time for physical activity and P.E. instruction

  4. “Sneaking” Nutrition Lessons into the Curriculum • Way to incorporate nutrition concepts throughout the school day • Nutrition lessons can help reinforce lessons learned in many other classes • Teachers modeling good nutrition

  5. Subject by Subject Examples…. • Math -Concept of Healthy Weight “by the numbers.” Calories in, Calories out: Is there a net gain or net deficit?? -”Nutrition Facts” label reading is a math textbook all its own! Calories per gram for protein, carbohydrate and fat-multiplication Concept of determining percentages (% Daily Value)

  6. Subject by Subject Examples • Science Biology/Physiology-digestion and absorption rates of foods and effects on brain function and sports performance Cooking-The ultimate laboratory experiment-practice measuring and weighing while increasing interest in new foods

  7. Subject by Subject Examples • Social Studies Learning the origins of foods-agriculture-makes children feel more connected to food and want to choose more natural options Environmental Issues help children focus on how our “consumption” effects the world around us

  8. “MyPyramid” • Created in 2005 to replace the old food pyramid-USDA • More specific and includes a physical activity component • Quick and Basic overview of “healthy eating” and gives children guidelines for practicing making healthy choices both at school and at home • MyPyramid.Gov-Wonderful resource-free handouts, games, etc.

  9. “MyPyramid” Worksheet • Great tool for increasing “eating awareness” and helps decrease mindless snacking • Guides students in their food choices • Can be customized based on grade level and lesson teacher wishes to concentrate on • Reinforces multiple school concepts in addition to Nutrition: tracking, calculating, creativity, writing, goal setting and more!

  10. Lots of Free Resources Online… • www.eatright.org (The American Dietetic Association) • www.mypyramid.gov (Through the USDA)

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