September is Fruits & Veggies – More Matters® Month, so it is a great time to discuss the importance of nutrition!
According to the Centers for Disease Control 40% of American adults and 20% of adolescents (ages 6-19) are obese. These are the highest rates ever recorded in the United States! It is not difficult to understand why: the low price of unhealthy, highly-processed foods and lack of exercise. Obesity increases a person’s risk for disease and other health complications such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and osteoarthritis. So too are obese children at a risk of becoming unhealthy adults.
In MORE HEALTH’s “Fueled for Success” lesson, third graders learn how healthy choices help an individual to grow and glow. They explore how nutrients enter the body, provide energy, and contribute to overall health. Consider adding these nutritious food suggestions from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to your daily meal routine:
- Vegetables, including dark green, red and orange, beans, peas and others
- Fruits, especially whole fruits
- Whole grains
- Fat-free or low-fat dairy including milk, yogurt, cheese and fortified soy beverages
- Protein foods including seafood, lean meats, poultry, nuts, soy products, beans and peas
- Oils including canola, corn, olive, peanut, sunflower and soy
- Do not forget about the role physical activity plays in conjunction with proper nutrition in overall health. The American Heart Association recommends that kids receive at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic activity every day. Think about increasing the activity level of the entire family by choosing to exercise together!
Thank you Tampa Bay Rays and Frozen and Refrigerated Foods of Central Florida for sponsoring our Nutrition lesson!
