IN THIS ISSUE:
News & Views on Child Nutrition
For Parents, Educators, and Health Professionals
Editor: Connie Liakos Evers, MS, RD
Issue 79, June 2011
MyPlate Teaching Tools
The official US food symbol is now MyPlate, a replacement for the food pyramid. Most nutrition experts agree that the new shape is better because it shows us what a healthy meal looks like. MyPlate is piled with nutrient-packed fruits and vegetables and features foods rich in protein and grains as side dishes. Dairy in the form of 1% or nonfat milk, yogurt, cheese, or a fortified soy beverage rounds out the meal.
I have created two new worksheets (at left) to use when teaching children the new MyPlate concept. If you have my books, these worksheets will help you to adjust the lessons to reflect the new food guide. I am hard at work revising my books and materials and anticipate a release of the new editions in late 2011 or early 2012.
Making Wacky
Snacks at Raleigh Park Elementary
Registered dietitian Julie Corpron recently taught nutrition in her daughter's classroom in Beaverton, Oregon and shared the following recap with me. You can obtain the Wacky Snacks worksheet here. Thanks for sharing, Julie!
"I did a “Wacky Snacks” nutrition lesson in Grace’s third grade class yesterday. It was so much fun! And the students loved making up names for their snacks. I sent them home with a list of healthy snacks (with Wacky names) and have already had one parent call to tell me thanks for the new snack ideas. Thanks for making the Wacky Snack work sheet available. Here’s a picture of a few of the kids – they were so proud of their creations!"
For Kids Only: Uncovering Underground Veggies
Some of the vegetables we eat grow under the ground as roots, tubers or bulbs. Learn more by downloading and solving the puzzle at left.
Did you know that potatoes are the number one underground vegetable eaten in America? Potatoes provide fiber, potassium, vitamin C, iron and many other nutrients. To get the most nutrients and fiber, leave the peelings on (scrub well before cooking). Spuds are at their healthiest when baked, roasted, mashed, or boiled – not fried!
The recipe below is a delicious way to eat underground veggies.
Click the image below for a PDF copy of this recipe:
RECIPE: Roasted Potato Medley
Potatoes are a great source of potassium, vitamin C and fiber. Sweet potatoes are also rich in beta-carotene. This recipe is simple, colorful, and nutrient-rich.
2 medium red potatoes, well scrubbed
2 medium Yukon gold potatoes, well scrubbed
1 large sweet potato, peeled
3 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp kosher salt
2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs of your choice (e.g. parsley, rosemary, tarragon, thyme or fennel leaves)
Directions:
Cut potatoes into bite sized chunks. Toss with oil and spread evenly in a roasting pan. Sprinkle kosher salt and herbs over potatoes. Bake in a preheated 425º oven for 25 minutes until potatoes are tender inside.
Servings: 6Nutrition per serving: 182 calories, 3 grams protein, 27 grams carbohydrate, 7 grams fat, 4 grams fiber, 194 milligrams sodium (full nutrient analysis included on PDF copy of recipe)
