h e a l h e a l

t h y e a t s, t h y k i d s

Volume I

Nutrition and Academic Success: Helping Students Eat Healthy

Across the United States, children are not receiving proper nutrition. On a daily basis, many children are unable to gain essential nutrients needed to grow up healthy. This not only adds to the growing obesity rate in the US, but recent research suggests that there is a correlation between proper nutrition, fitness, and academic success in students. The goal of this newsletter series is to connect parents, students, educators, and community members with the information necessary to provide students with proper nutrition and boost academic performance. Topic will include the link between academics and nutrition, how to plan a healthy meal, the importance of dairy, eating breakfast, and more!

Recipe Corner
For a fun after school snack: provide carrot sticks, a bowl of veggie cheese dip, and a plate of rainbow goldfish. Let the kids dip the carrot (fishing pole) into the cheese (bait) and then catch the fish.

Fast Facts
American children ages 2-18 are eating 40% of their daily calories from empty calories, like sugar sweetened drinks and desserts. More than 1/3 of Americas school children ages 6-19 are overweight or obese. Eating a healthy breakfast is associated with improved cognitive function (especially memory), reduced absenteeism, and improved mood.

Source: http://www.parenting.com/gallery/healthy-kids-snacks

Start the Day RIGHT with a Healthy Breakfast

In the morning, it can often be chaotic as everyone gets ready for school and work, and often, breakfast gets skipped. Have you ever heard breakfast is the most important meal of the day before? Well that statement isnt too far off while there isnt a single most important meal, breakfast helps start the day off right and studies show that students who eat breakfast perform better academically compared to students who skip breakfast regularly.

h e a l h e a l

t h y e a t s, t h y k i d s

Volume II

The Breakfast Battle

65% of Michigan high school students skipped breakfast at least one day a week. Children who begin their school day without breakfast pay less attention in the late morning, have a negative attitude toward schoolwork, and retain less information in class.

Benefits of Breakfast
Students who ate a school breakfast had a general increase in math grades and reading scores, increased attention, reduced nurse visits and improved behavior. Participation in the school breakfast program was associated with greater improvements on standardized test scores, along with lower rates of tardiness and truancy. According to the "American Dietetic Association Guide to Healthy Eating for Kids", a good breakfast should: Contain 3 or more food groups. Include high fiber foods like whole grains, produce, or beans. Be low in fat Be something they will eat! It does no good to have a balanced meal that they won't eat.

Recipe Corner
Braining Breakfast Salad
1. Peel and chop apple. Place in bowl with a drop of water. Microwave on high for 1 minute. 2. Stir, microwave for 30 seconds longer. 3. Cool apples! This step is to make them the same texture (soft) as the avocado. 4. While your apples are cooling, mix together honey, vanilla, and cinnamon, until well combined. 5. Drain any water from your bowl of apples. 6. Chop your avocado and add it to the apples. 7. Pour honey sauce over avocados and apples. 8. Add raisins and walnuts, and stir gently. 9. Serve with a glass of milk!

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The TRUTH About MILK

t h y e a t s, t h y k i d s

Volume III

Research shows that eliminating chocolate milk from elementary school lunch programs led to a dramatic 35% drop in milk consumption which means even more children miss out on the essential nutrients milk provides. Why the change? There are many myths and misconceptions about milk and its importance! Learn more about the myths and realities of the milk being served to students across the United States.

MYTH: Chocolate milk adds unnecessary extra calories to childrens diets and contributes to the rising obesity rates among students!
REALITY: Nearly 95% of 8oz servings of chocolate milk served by US elementary schools have 150 calories or less per serving. Children who drink flavored milk dont have a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) than those who do not drink milk.

MYTH: Chocolate milk has too much sugar and is not a healthy drink because it is not as nutritious as white milk!
REALITY: Did you know that chocolate (and other flavored) milks have the same vitamins, minerals, and protein as white milk? Chocolate milk contains Vitamin D, calcium, and potassium nutrients many children fail to get enough of on a daily basis. More than the sugar found in chocolate milk is lactose, which is found in all types of milk.

MYTH: Many different foods contain calcium, so there is no need to drink milk!
REALITY: Milk and dairy products contain calcium in the greatest amounts and are therefore the best sources to obtain calcium. To provide the same amount of calcium found in one 8ounce cup of milk, you would need to eat 3 cups of broccoli, 1 cup of almonds, 10 cups of spinach, or three ounces of sardines with bones!

Remember to get your

3 SERVINGS OF DAIRY EVERY DAY!

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t h y e a t s, t h y k i d s

Volume IV

Whats on MyPlate?
Gone is the food pyramid of the past recently it was replaced by the MyPlate guide that visually shows the 5 food groups. Next time you go to eat think about how to best fill your plate for a healthy and nutritious meal! A note about sweets: A sweet treat is good every once Dare to drink Dairy! in a while but remember:
moderation is key! Try to eliminate extra sugars and fats as much as possible. Eat or drink low-fat or fatfree milk products.

Focus on Fruits!
Eat fruit or drink 100% fruit juice. Fruit can be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried.

Make at least Your Grains Whole!

Eat wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, quinoa, and other cereal grain products.

Vary your Veggies!

Eat vegetables or drink 100% vegetable juice. Vegetables may be raw or cooked, frozen, canned, or dried.

Go Lean with Protein!

Eat meat, poultry, beans, seafood, peas, eggs, soy products, nuts, and seeds.

Source: United States Department of Agriculture For more information visit http://www.chooseMyPlate.gov!

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t h y e a t s, t h y k i d s

Volume V

Be a Healthy Role Model!

You are the most Involve your child in Encourage Physical important influence to grocery shopping and Activity. Engage in your child. Lead by meal planning. Talk about different types of example! If you are different types of food and physical activity. Go on making an effort to lead a where they come from. walks or play with your healthy lifestyle, your Let your child pick healthy children outside. child will likely follow suit! foods to purchase. Remember to have fun! Limit Screen Time. Try to spend as little time in front of the TV or computer as possible try to limit time to a max of 2 hours! Dont forget to get up and move during commercials. Get creative in the kitchen. Try out new healthy recipes and put healthy spins on favorite meals. Let your children help you prepare and serve the meal and then dine as a family! Show that this is important. Encourage your children and yourself. Make a healthy lifestyle a priority and gradually you will fall into a healthy routine!

Recipe Corner Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

1/4 cup olive oil 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 egg 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 cup Coachs Oats 3/4 cup white whole wheat flour 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1/2 cup dark/semisweet chocolate chunks Makes 24 Cookies

Put a healthy spin on dessert!

In an electric mixer, beat together the olive oil, brown sugar, and egg until fluffy. Add the remaining ingredients and beat until well mixed. Use a medium (approximately 2 tablespoons in size) cookie scoop to place cookies on a cookie sheet. Bake in an oven preheated to 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges.

Literature Cited Volume I 32 healthy kids snacks. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.parenting.com/gallery/healthy-kids-snacks Volume II Breakfast. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.jhsph.edu/offices-and-services/studentaffairs/_documents/Breakfast The importance of breakfast. (2013). Retrieved from http://join.nokidhungry.org/site/PageNavigator/SOS/Breakfast_2013.html Koci, R. (1998). Talking breakfast is the image of breakfast-on-the-run real?]. Canadian Grocer, 112(1), 32. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.msu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/222848021?accountid=12598 Shield, J., & Mullen, M. C. (2002). Guide to Healthy Eating For Kids: How Your Children Can Eat Smart from 5 to 12. Volume III Health benefits. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.gotmilk.com/ Ilich, J. Z. (2000). Nutrition in bone health revisited: A story beyond calcium. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 19(6), 715-737. Karp, J. R., Johnston, J. D., Tecklenburg, S., Mickleborough, T., Fly, A. D., & Stager, J. M. (2006). Chocolate milk as a post-exercise recovery aid. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 16(1), 78-91. Retrieved School milk facts. (2014). Retrieved from http://milkdelivers.org/schools/school-milk-facts/ Volume IV Shield, J., & Mullen, M. C. (2002). Guide to Healthy Eating For Kids: How Your Children Can Eat Smart from 5 to 12. US Department of Agriculture. (2011). Food groups. Retrieved from http://www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups/ Volume V Brooke, M. (2011, January 11). Skinny chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. Retrieved from http://www.babble.com/best-recipes/skinny-chocolate-chip-cookies/ Obama, M. (2012). Eat healthy. Retrieved from http://www.letsmove.gov/eat-healthy US Department of Agriculture. (2011). Healthy eating tips. Retrieved from http://www.choosemyplate.gov/healthy-eating-tips.html