|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Food for Thought TLC! Nutrition Newsletter |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| by Ms. Debby | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
This is the page where Ms. Debby, our chef, updates and generally keeps us informed about personal, school-wide and national "news" and ideas regarding health and nutrition. |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
LOOKING FOR GENERAL INFO ON OUR NUTRITION PROGRAM? SELECT HERE ***************************************************************************************** October 2010
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| To The Learning Center! and the 2010/2011 school year. There are many positive changes coming to our school’s Child Nutrition Program this year, and I am eager to share them with you. | |||
|
Welcome Back...
To more lunch choices.
|
|
||
|
the salad bar or hot lunch option each morning
during homeroom. For our younger students, we
plan to offer tossed salad “family style” on
their tables for those who want that in addition
to the regular hot meal which they will be
served at their tables.
We will continue to offer high quality, popular
hot lunch options as well.
There will be the occasional day when
only one option is offered, but we will try to
let you know that in advance via the posted
menus.
If your child has special dietary needs or food
allergies you must see office staff about
filling out the correct form.
The child nutrition staff will
accommodate dietary modifications prescribed by
a physician.
We also try to accommodate,
to the
best of our ability,
dietary preferences for religious,
ethical or health reasons however those
preferences need to be on file with us on the
correct form and must be consistent. Please note
that the alternate meal will often be the salad
option.
Welcome Back...
To new faces.
We have the privilege of adding Mary Morris to
our staff this year.
She will be preparing and serving the
salad bar, assisting with other food prep and
eventually preparing breakfasts.
Ms. Mary brings youth, energy and some
considerable food service experience into our
program.
Welcome Back...
To old friends. |
|||
|
|
|
Welcome Back...
To local food.
We began serving local, Brasstown Beef a couple
of years ago.
This year we will add regionally produced
Springer Mountain Chicken and sausage from
Nantahala |
|
|
I am very proud of our progress in this area and
will be seeking out ways to add even more local
foods to our menu this year.
|
|||
|
Welcome Back...
To a stronger focus on wellness education
This year you should find it easier to get
the information you need about nutrition and
wellness.
Our new monthly menu format will
include health information and recipes.
These will be available in the print
version in the office and will be emailed to
those who have an email address
on file with the office.
If for some reason you aren’t getting
an emailed version of the menu, please see
Rene in the main office.
We will also be starting to expand our
nutrition page with information that can
assist
you and your child in staying
healthier.
In addition, from time to other
helpful information on wellness and
nutrition will be available in the
literature rack in the office and in the
Dining Commons.
If you have questions about our Child
Nutrition Program or our School Wellness
Plan, please feel free to email me at
debby@naturallygrownkids.org
Be Well,
|
|||
*****************************************************************************************
|
|
We know that while our school lunches are a healthy option, they are not the only healthy option, and that for various reasons and at various times, your child may opt to bring lunch from home. Meeting a child’s nutritional needs with a packed lunch is fairly simple if you keep a few guidelines in mind. |
Growing elementary aged children need foods from all food
groups to keep growing and stay healthy.
A healthy packed lunch should include the following.
*A serving or two of whole grains.
100% whole grain bread is the obvious choice, but
wraps and crackers are increasingly available in whole grain
options.
Just remember to read the label carefully.
It should say 100% whole grain or 100% whole wheat
and whole wheat
or some other whole grain will be the first ingredient
listed.
Breads and snacks that say “contains whole grain” or even
“whole wheat”
will often list enriched white flour as the main ingredient
and may actually contain very little whole grain.
Know what you are buying.
The increase in childhood diabetes and obesity seems
to be linked to an increase in simple carbs like enriched
white flour and sugars.
*Two or more ounces of protein.
Peanut butter, tuna, lean sandwich
meat, eggs, cheese, nuts,
beans or hummus if your child will eat those,
Avoid high fat or fried meats.
*Two or more servings of fruit and vegetables.
Whole pieces of fruit pack well and are a good
choice. Or take time to cut them up into pieces if that
works better for your child.
Canned fruit cups
and fruit leathers are fine IF it is truly fruit and
not mostly sugar and flavoring. Again, read the labels.
Vegetables that pack well are raw carrots, broccoli,
cauliflower, celery.
If giving them a little ranch dressing or other dip
helps them eat their vegetables, that’ s fine.
As another option
you can
pack vegetables left over from dinner.
*Dairy products.
Try including low fat yogurt, cheese or milk.
Try to avoid milk and yogurts with a lot of added
sugar and artificial flavoring.
*Drinks-water is available in the Dining Commons. Milk (1%
and skim) is also available for purchase at lunch time.
If you pack fruit juice, you will want to read your
labels carefully again remembering that “contains fruit
juice” and “100% fruit juice” are two totally different
things. Look at
the first ingredient in the list.
*What to avoid-candy, sugary drinks including most sports
drinks, snacks full of fat and simple carbs like most chips
and cookies. These foods spike insulin levels (the sugar
high) and are thus somewhat addictive .
Once the insulin drops back to normal, or often below
normal, the child will likely feel lethargic and possibly
even have difficulty concentrating in afternoon classes.
The repeated spiking of insulin levels can lead to
long term health issues.
If following the above guidelines is going to represent a
major change in the way your child is eating, it may help if
you involve them in choosing and even preparing their
lunches.
Education about food choices can happen informally and
naturally as you and your child shop for healthy foods or
make lunches together.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with
the above school policy
on foods brought in from home,
and please feel free to email me at
debby@naturallygrownkids.org
if you
need further information on making healthy lunch choices
with your child.
*****************************************************************************************
You
have been asked to provide healthy snacks or party food for your
daughter’s class celebration.
Or your son is begging you to provide treats to his
classmates on his birthday, but those heavily frosted,
artificially colored cupcakes are just out of the question.*
With childhood obesity and diabetes skyrocketing, you
certainly don’t want to add to the problem, but of course, you
want to honor your
child on a special day. What’s a mom or dad to do?
You need options.
Try these.
-
Fruit tray or fruit kabobs with a yogurt dip
-
Cheese and whole grain crackers
-
Veggies and low fat ranch
-
Pita chips and hummus
-
Whole grain tortilla chips and salsa
-
pretzels and low fat cheese dip
-
popcorn
-
low fat pudding
-
100% fruit juice popsicles
-
yogurt, fruit and granola parfait
-
muffins, especially whole grain
-
pizza, especially with whole grain crust
-
low fat granola bar
-
trail mix or party mix, especially homemade featuring whole grain ingredients
Googling “Healthy Snacks for Kids” will yield hundreds of ideas.
Here are a few
good links just to get you started.
-
http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/feeding/healthy-eating/the-20-best-snacks-for-kids/
-
*You’ll find The Learning Center’s policy on snack and party
foods here.