National Nutrition Month 2016

National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

The theme for 2016 is "Savor the Flavor of Eating Right," which encourages everyone to take time to enjoy food traditions and appreciate the pleasures, great flavors and social experiences food can add to our lives.

How, when, why and where we eat are just as important as what we eat. Develop a mindful eating pattern that includes nutritious and flavorful foods – that's the best way to savor the flavor of eating right! For more information and materials, visit the following web site at http://www.nationalnutritionmonth.org/nnm.

BREAK THE FAST!

This upcoming week is National School Breakfast Week. Studies show that eating breakfast and refueling your body can make a world of difference not only for adults but for kids too! Eating breakfast is believed to impact test scores, trips to the nurse's office, and behavior. If breakfast is too rushed at home, don't forget about trying school breakfast. Not only is it an easy option, it can also be a social opportunity. Here are some tips for teaching students or your children about breakfast. 

1. Have your student/child make a list of breakfast ideas.
2. Explain that when we do not eat breakfast, our body goes 16 hours without fuel (time estimated from about dinner to the next day's lunch). Our body needs fuel to play hard, work hard, and be successful. Breakfast jump starts our bodies with the energy it needs to feel and do our work hard, and be successful. 
3. Describe a well-balanced breakfast. A well-balanced breakfast should have at least 3 of the 5 food groups. Ask the student/child to list the 5 groups: fruit, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein.
4. Breakfast should include protein, complex carbohydrates, and little fat. Complex carbohydrates (starch and fiber carbohydrates; ex: whole grain English muffin) help us feel energized and the protein and fat (minimum) help keep us feeling full.
5. Explain that eggs can be part of a healthy breakfast and demonstrate a couple of ways to cook an egg (e.g., scramble, boil, poach, etc.).
6. At home, flavor the eggs with herbs and spices and allow your child to try each type of cooked egg.
7. Ask how to make a well-balanced breakfast out of eggs (e.g., eggs, whole grain toast, and grapes) achieving 3 of the 5 food groups for breakfast.
8. Encourage your student/child to eat breakfast and try the school breakfast for a healthy start to their day.