Kids and Nutrition-Finding Those Teachable Moments

Judy Mitnick, M.S., R.D.

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

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

“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

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)

Subject by Subject Examples

• ScienceBiology/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

Subject by Subject Examples

• Social StudiesLearning 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

“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.

“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!

Lots of Free Resources Online…

• www.eatright.org (The American Dietetic Association)

• www.mypyramid.gov (Through the USDA)