Nutrition and Tips for Parents
Did You Know...
This generation of young people is the first that is forecast to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents? 1 in 3 or 4 children born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes at some point in their lifetime. The prevalence of overweight kids among 6 to 11 year olds has doubled in the past 20 years and tripled for teens.
What are We Doing About It?
Our district participates in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, following strict national and state nutrition guidelines, and provides nutritious lunches that contain one-third of the recommended dietary allowance of nutrients. Our district adheres to the recommended USDA dietary guidelines from MyPlate. This new Food Guide focuses on nutrition and fitness, because the two go hand in hand. It is designed to help kids and parents to not only understand the guidelines but to also provide practical advice on how to provide healthy and balanced diet. Recommendations are tailored for kids based on age, gender, and exercise habits. And, our district has also developed a comprehensive school wellness policy and upholds the USDA's Federally Mandated Nutritional Value requirements, which defines the nutrition guidelines for school meals.
For Parents
This program offers a convenient method of providing a nutritionally balanced lunch at the lowest possible price. For schools, the program enhances children's learning abilities by contributing to their physical and mental well being. Studies have shown that children whose nutritional needs are met have fewer attendance and discipline problems and are more attentive in class.
Be a Role Model.
Take an active role in encouraging your kids eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Encourage your kids to get at least 60 minutes of moderate exercise each day (30 minutes for adults). Family meals are a great time for parents to connect and share the details of the day. Plus, kids who eat regularly with their families are less likely to snack on unhealthful foods. Try to eat meals together as a family at least 3 times per week.
News Articles for Parents
SuperKids Nutrition Founder and Creator of the Super Crew®, Melissa Halas, MA RD CDE, and her winning team of nutrition experts provide us with informative articles focused on nutrition for our families. This team represents a diverse, nationally recognized group of Registered Dietitians and nutrition professionals who specialize in Childhood, School, and Family Nutrition. They provide nutrition resources, to help schools and communities to be their best.
How to Help Your Child Choose Foods Wisely
Rosanne Rust, MS, RD, LDN
Does Your Child Make the Grade?
Nicole Chase
Hey Parents… Eat Your Fruit and Veggies, Too!
By Kate Scarlata, RD, LDN
Encouraging Your Children To Be Physically Active
By: Rosanne Rust, MS, RD, LDN
Feed Your Family Fantastic Food for Less
Norma Stewart, RD, MA
Healthy Recipe Ideas
We are committed to supporting our community in the areas of nutrition, fitness, and a healthy lifestyle! We hope you like the following recipes. They are healthy and packed with flavor for you and your family. Enjoy
Quick & Easy Recipes!
Healthy Breakfast Recipes - Jump Start Your Day! Breakfast is the important meal of the day, make it a top priority! Breakfast fuels our body with nutrients and energy and is shown to help us maintain a healthy weight. Did you also know that kids who eat breakfast are more alert and typically do better at school? Enjoy these healthy habit recipes to start your day off right! |
|
Healthy Lunch Recipes - Easy to Make at Home When children eat lunch at school they are more likely to consume milk, meats, grains and vegetables. They also have higher nutrient intakes - both at lunch and over the course of an entire day. Here are some healthy lunch recipes that you can make at home! |
|
Healthy Dinner Recipes - Eating Dinner Together Family meals are a great time for parents to connect with their kids and share the details of the day. Plus, kids who eat regularly with their families are less likely to snack on unhealthful foods. Try to eat meals together as a family at least 3 times per week. |
|
Healthy Snack Recipes - Delicious Snack Ideas Kids often need snacks to help them get through the day. Choosing healthy snacks that add nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, to their diets is essential. Enjoy these recipes and the smart snacking ideas that will help your kids get their daily nutrient requirements. |
|
Healthy Dessert Recipes - Featuring Fresh Fruits Desserts don't have to be laden with fat, sugar and empty calories to taste good. Look to the natural sweetness found in fresh fruit for your next dessert. These recipes are quick, easy and healthy...and best of all, they'll keep your family coming back for more! |
Snacking Tips for Parents
- Plan ahead and buy healthy snacks when you shop. You will save money and make healthier choices than if you or your kids are buying snacks on the go.
- Provide kids with choices and make those choices nutritious.
- Pre-portion you child's snacks into small plastic bags to grab on the go.
- Combine snacks from at least two food groups to pack more nutrients into your child's diet... it will be more filling and it will hold them over to the next meal.
- And remember... space snacks far enough between meals so appetites are not spoiled!
Two Simple Steps to Delicious and Nutritious Snacks
Katie-Jeffery-Lunn, MS, RD, CDN, LDN
Healthy, Fun Snacks and Desserts for the Whole Family
Reyna Franco, MS, RD, CDN
Healthy, Tasty and Creative Snacks for Kids
Katie-Jeffery-Lunn, MS, RD, CDN, LDN
Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
1. mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.