School Nurse

Healthy Steps

MAKE THE CONNECTION: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND NUTRITION

Healthy Steps concentrates primarily on increasing physical activity in schools. But, there is a partner that can not be forgotten, HEALTHY EATING! Here are some easy and effective approaches you can take in your school to improve the overall health of your students and staff!

Promote drinking three servings of low-fat milk daily.

"Reducing the total-fat and saturated-fat intake of children is a national health priority. Although whole and 2% milk are leading sources of total and saturated fat in children's diets, two out of three children who drink milk with school lunch choose whole or 2% milk. Promoting 1% and fat-free milk in schools is an important strategy for reducing children's saturated-fat intake and promoting their health."

Visit http://www.cspinet.org/ga/schoolkit/html to order a new education kit from the Center for Science in the Public Interest. This kit can help school food service personnel, teachers, and health educators motivate school children and their families to choose 1 % or fat-free milk.

Promote eating five or more servings of vegetables and fruits every day.

Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and other substances that are important for good health. To promote your health, eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day!

Visit www.5aday.com to find nutrition information for children and adults, as well as, activity ideas to incorporate into your lessons! At www.dole5aday.com teachers can find even more 5 A Day Nutrition Education Materials to actively engage students in fun, action-packed adventures as they learn about nutrition, physical activity, and the importance of eating 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Take the 5 A Day Challenge! Write down fruits and vegetables you eat through the week and add them up to see how easy it is to meet the 5 A Day Challenge to eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

Together, Eat Well Play Hard
• Increase age-appropriate physical activity
• Increase intake of vegetables and fruits
• Increase intake of low-fat and fat-free dairy foods

School Nurses

Donna Sorrell

Mary Rounds