FOOD FOR THOUGHT:     HEALTHY MEALS + HEALTHY SNACKS =  HEALTHY DIETARY HABITS

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Dietary experts at the US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service teach the importance of "refueling" the body after an 8 to 12 hour overnight fast.  The breakfast meal is the foremost source of Vitamin C, calcium, fiber and complex carbohydrates, but it is the meal most often "skipped" by kids and adults "in a hurry" in the morning.  Without the nutrients and caloric energy provided by breakfast, studies show that concentration lags, attention wanders, work habits suffer, and stomach pains from hunger result. 

How does eating breakfast benefit our children in school?

1)    Children are more alert and perform better in school.

2)    Children who eat breakfast feel better, with less complaints of headaches and stomach aches, and  they miss fewer days of school.

3)    Eating breakfast improves attention, memory, energy and creativity.

4)    A balanced breakfast provides the nutrients needed by children to grow and develop normally.

Where can I learn more about a balanced diet?

Click on the following links to sites with more information about healthy dietary choices.

http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/     (Go to this site, then click on FOOD, and then choose Food Guide Pyramid for a full brochure on healthy food choices following this guide.)

http://www.eatright.org/Public/NutritionInformation/92_11722.cfm  (Just choose the nutrition fact sheet on your topic of interest.)

http://www.mypyramid.gov  Visit this site for information on the new Food Pyramid, with an emphasis on balancing proper diet with daily exercise.

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT...?

The Memorial School "Breakfast Club"

Breakfast is served daily in the Memorial School Cafeteria, before school from approx 8:25 AM until 8:45 AM.  The cost is $1.00, (or $0.30 for students on reduced lunch program, and free for those who qualify for free lunch).  Each meal consists of either fruit or juice, milk, and a daily changing entree, from cereal, muffin, yogurt, bagel with cream cheese or jelly, or cinnamon roll.

IS CHOOSING A HEALTHY SNACK THAT YOUR CHILD WILL ENJOY "DRIVING YOU BANANAS? "  Try adding these healthy snack choices to their lunchbox: snack-size yogurt or pudding, pretzels, popcorn, celery sticks or baby carrots with lo-cal cream cheese or Ranch dressing, rice cakes with peanut butter, whole grain crackers and cheese, or fresh, canned or dried fruit. Visit this interactive website for more ideas for healthy snacking and recipes http://www.healthyfood.org/sub/kids.html

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