November/December 2007

Nutrition - Launa Ellison

    "Nutrition," I ask my students, "what does that mean to you?" Our discussion begins. "Let's start by keeping track of what you eat. Today at lunch write down or draw a picture of what you eat. Continue keeping track of everything you eat for 3 days, then we will compare without using your names." We sort the class information, discussing which might be better. Then we begin the clarifying research. The USDA site for preschool through middle school has 75 pages of information for teachers at http://www.nalusda.gov/fnic/pubs/bibs/edu/preschool.html. There are free lesson plans and activities, audiovisual materials and resources.

Of course a nutritious breakfast is essential! Not only is it important for kids to have breakfast every day, but it's also important what they eat. While kids are often drawn to what they see advertised, choosing breakfast foods other than those loaded with sugar and low in nutrients may help boost kids' attention span, concentration, and memory -- which they need in order to participate and succeed in school. Encourage your school and parents to serve a breakfast that is rich in whole grains, fiber, and protein while low in added sugar. Eating a healthy breakfast allows kids to also take in fiber, calcium and other important nutrients. And, in these days of increasing obesity and diabetes, breakfast each day can help to keep weight under control, decrease blood cholesterol levels and keep kids healthy, allowing for fewer absences from school, and make fewer trips to the school nurse with stomach complaints related to hunger.  Learn more about breakfast at http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/food/index.html. At http://tn.ntis.gov you can order My Pyramid posters, coloring pages, kids' worksheets and other materials. From that site you can click to TEAM nutrition and find middle school homework, tests and power point resources.

This is also an opportunity for older elementary and middle school students to write business letters to companies relating to nutrition. Wikipedia has a wealth of connections when you go to Fast Food Nation. Food labels is another area to explore. Compare calories, fat and sodium on similar products. "Label Power" has game boards and teacher's guides--it's on the 75-page list.  Compare the number of words you never heard of to the real foods. Tally the additives that come up in more than one product. Can your students research what the additives do? There is a growing market in organic foods. Does "naturally grown" mean the same thing? What are the nuances around organics? Are they better for you?
Nutrition issues also lead to understanding your body's functions and the role of exercise in having a healthy life. There are so many healthy and fun activities to do with your students.  

Enjoy!