HEALTHY ROLE MODELING DURING

MEALS, DOWNTIME, AND CELEBRATIONS

INCLUDING NUTRITION EDUCATION

MEAL AND SNACK TIME Healthy food discussions Eat a variety of foods Be a healthy role model Eat lunch with students

MEAL TIMES AT MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL Tour the school kitchen and cafeteria New food taste tests

Breakfast and lunch linesVending machinesSalad bars

Give students a voice Healthy meal and snack

preparation

WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE? ACTIVITY It’s lunchtime! What’s on the menu?

Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce Garden Salad Sliced Peaches Chocolate Chip Cookie Milk

What food groups are represented? What are the healthy benefits of these foods? Is everyone going to try everything on their

plate? Why is it important to try one bite of all your

foods?

WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE? ANSWERS It’s lunchtime! What’s on the menu?

Spaghetti – Grains w/Meat Sauce- Protein Garden Salad- Vegetables Sliced Peaches- Fruits Chocolate Chip Cookie- Grains group, but cookies should be

eaten in moderation Milk- Dairy

How are these foods good for your body? Grains are carbohydrates that give you energy, meat provides protein for strong muscles and growth, vegetables & fruits contribute many nutrients (like Vitamins A, E, and C) to keep you healthy, and milk provides calcium for strong teeth & bones.

Why is it important to try one bite of all your foods? You may discover you like it! It is important to eat many different foods so your body can get the many different nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

TASTING NEW FOODS: Offer new foods first Do a taste test Aim for at least “one bite” Prepare foods in different ways Try multiple times

TIME TO TASTE! What does it look like? Color? Shape? What does it feel like? Smooth? Rough? What does it smell like? Is the smell

familiar? Does it smell sweet? Does it make a sound? Crunch?

TASTE TESTING WITH OLDER STUDENTS Compare and contrast

ColorShapeSize (measure)Food groupSmellTexture

TASTE! Avoid words like “good”

or “bad”

“DOWNTIME” Tackle short nutrition topics while standing in

line OR have students answer questions in order to line up: Can you name an orange vegetable? What

important nutrient in the milk group gives us strong bones?

Talk about one of the MyPlate food groups, then quiz students about it.

Discuss how breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day because it gives you energy in the morning.

Talk about good drink choices (water, milk, 100% juice) and not-so-good drink choices (soda pop and juice drinks with lots of added sugar).

HEALTHY CELEBRATIONS

Use non-food rewards. Encourage parents to bring

healthy option for class parties and events.

Talk about the foods being eaten at class parties.

Pretzels Low-fat popcorn Grapes and whole grain crackers Peanut butter and celery Baby carrots and low-fat ranch Hummus on a whole wheat tortilla Low-fat yogurt with fruit String cheese Peppers and bean dip Hard boiled egg Tuna salad and whole grain crackers Fruit smoothie High fiber cereal and low-fat milk Sugar-free pudding and graham crackers Trail mix Fruit salad Nuts

HEALTHY SNACK IDEAS

Fruit smoothies

Fruit and low-fat cheese kabobs

Ham or cheese sandwiches or wraps (with low-fat condiments)

Vegetable tray with hummus

Low-fat pudding or yogurt parfaits with fruit and nuts

Low-fat tortilla chips with salsa or bean dip

Trail mix with low-sugar, whole grain cereal, dried fruit, and nuts

Nuts and seeds

SCHOOL PARTY SNACK IDEAS

**always check for food allergies before serving food

INCLUDING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DURING DOWNTIME Standing in line Getting into line Walking to chairs or tables Moving from activity to activity Moving from room to room Moving from outside to inside

MORE “DOWNTIME” Use time between subjects and

before/after assemblies Instruct students to bring something

related to their favorite game for show-and-tell.

When answering a “yes or no” question, instead have students stand up or sit down.

Make test review games active.

RECESS IS IMPORTANT TOO! Allow adequate time for recess. Do not withhold recess as a

punishment. Consider “Recess Before Lunch” Organize games where everyone

participates

HEALTHY CELEBRATIONS Include physical activity in class parties. Teach kids that healthy can be fun! Ideas:

Dance partyField dayExtra recess