17, May 2013 11:58 AM
On May 2, I listened to a webinar titled, Smarter Lunchrooms: Influencing Meal and Beverage Choices and Improving Participation designed for people who work in school foodservice. The program sounded interesting to me since it featured Kathryn Hoy from the BEN Center at Cornell University sharing low- or no-cost ways to promote the consumption of healthy school lunch options, using the evidence-based principles of the Smarter Lunchrooms Movement. Terri Soares, Food Service Director at Merced City School District described the success she is experiencing implementing the Smarter Lunchroom strategies in schools throughout her district, using simple techniques to get kids to eat the healthy food that is served.
Interesting facts that I learned during the presentation:
- "Choice architecture" involves simple cafeteria layout modifications that can entice children to select healthy foods without being forced - such as offering the fruit in a colorful bowl right before the cash register.
- Food bans lead to student rebellion; no one likes their choices restricted. BEN Center research shows when chocolate milk is banned in schools, overall school meals participation reduces by 11%. "If you are not going to serve the food I like, then I'm not going to eat here," is what students are saying.
- Make the desired choice the easier choice. If you put the plain milk closer to the trayline and chocolate milk requires a longer reach, more children will select plain milk.
- If you name a healthy food something catchy, sales increase dramatically (e.g. change menu from "Carrots" to "X-Ray Vision Carrots" and sales double).
- Kids like choice. When kids were given the choice between carrots or celery, they ate 91% of the vegetables taken versus 69% when carrots alone were offered.
This is only a small amount of the information shared during the webinar - for all the information, check out our web page Smarter Lunchrooms: Influencing Meal and Beverage Choices and Improving Participation. There are also some wonderful resources that can be used for nutrition education.
Maureen Bligh, Registered Dietitian
Tags:
Healthy eating
school foodservice
smarter lunchrooms
webinar
Categories:
School Meals
Healthy Eating for Kids
Nutrition Education
08, May 2013 8:00 AM
High school students are known for making “less than perfect” food choices. Some students skip breakfast or even worse they skip eating on campus all together. How are high school students getting the proper nourishment and have the energy to learn, listen and excel in their studies?
A couple of weeks ago, I taught five high school classes our Activity + Eating nutrition program at Mountain View High School in El Monte, California. During the lesson we discussed the importance of breakfast, healthy snacking, portion sizes, goal setting and physical activity. We also discussed hunger cues and what prompts them to eat (or overeat). The discussion really resonated with the students.
We played a portion size game using our hands to help conceptualize different food portions, like a fist for one cup of milk or one serving of a fruit. After doing the food logs, student’s set a couple of goals that they thought would be obtainable. Some students said they would eat the school breakfast more, another student said she wanted to walk her dog more often for exercise.
The most gratifying moment: As we asked the students to pass in their workbooks, some students said, “No! I want to keep it for my own use.” That gave me so much encouragement as a health educator.
At the end of each class, students were able to make their own very own yogurt parfait. Having the ingredients ready-to-go made the students realize how easy it was to replicate this as a yummy snack or dessert at home. Some students went back for seconds. The students loved it!
Since this experience, a breakfast grant has been awarded to El Monte Union High School and this district will be able to serve breakfast to all students for no cost.
Not everyone gets to spend the day in the classroom helping students become healthier and more apt to make healthy choices from all the food groups, but I did. I enjoyed seeing firsthand how the dairy industry’s commitment to community health through Dairy Council of California’s nutrition lessons is helping teens be healthier, better nourished individuals. I look forward to my next opportunity to teach nutrition to teenagers.
Candice Sainz-Lau
Territory Manager
Tags:
Activity + Eating
Healthy eating
high school
parfait
Categories:
Nutrition Education
06, May 2013 3:00 PM
It's Teacher Appreciation Week! Since 1919, Dairy Council of California has partnered with schools and teachers to make healthy eating easier for children and their families. While a week is hardly enough time to show teachers how much we care, we rounded up some great discounts and deals for teachers this week and all year long.
- Barnes & Noble Educator Program includes 20% off the publisher's list price on all purchases for classroom and up to 25% off the publisher's list price during Educator Appreciation Days.
- On Tuesday, National Teacher Day, bring a school ID to any Chipotle after 4pm for buy one/get one free burritos, bowls, salads or tacos!
- The Container Store Organized Teacher Program offers special discounts throughout the year.
- Lakeshore Learning , a classroom and arts and crafts supply store, offers the Lakeshore Teacher’s Club, which offers 15 percent off all purchases and special sales each month.
- NY & Co stores offers a 20% one-time discount for teachers and 15% the rest of the year with its Big Apple for the Teacher program. Sign up free.
- Office Depot offers the Star Teacher discount card including 10% back on most office supplies, ink and paper and 15% instant discount on in-store copies and printing.
- Office Max Perks Rewards for teachers lets you earn a $10 reward in your MaxPerks account every time you spend a minimum of $75 on qualified* purchases between January 1st — December 31st — up to $100 per calendar year.
- Even though the web page says 2012, we’ve called and verified that Red Roof Inn is once again offering 15% off hotel stays in May for public and private educators. Use the VP+ code of 604276 when making your reservation online or over the phone, but be prepared to show documentation that you are a teacher at a public or private school. This may be an ID or other documentation from your school.
- With the Jo-Ann Fabrics Teacher Rewards Discount Card , teachers save 15% of every purchase, both in stores and at Joann.com®.
Do you know of other Teacher Appreciation specials, giveaways or recognitions? Share them with us on Facebook at Facebook.com/DairyCouncilofCA.
Parents, if you're looking for ways to show your appreciation to your child's teacher, pass along this blog post! You can also check out some of the fantastic ideas available on Pinterest. We've added some of our favorites to the Head of the Class board.
Tags:
appreciation
educator
teacher
Categories:
Train the Trainer/Continuing Education Modules
Nutrition Education
29, April 2013 9:32 AM
Celebrate Mexican heritage and pride this week with recipes inspired by Cinco de Mayo, the fifth of May.
Read on for a complete family meal menu, shopping list and additional recipe suggestions.
Shredded Turkey and Pinto Bean Burritos, EatingWell. Photo by Ken Burris.
Tags:
family meals
recipes
Categories:
Healthy Eating
22, April 2013 9:07 AM
Perhaps no food better represents spring than asparagus. When bunches of slender, green or white spears start appearing in the produce section, it’s cause for celebration.
Read on for a complete family meal menu, shopping list and additional recipe suggestions.
Creamy Asparagus Pasta, EatingWell. Photo by Ken Burris.
Tags:
family meals
recipes
Categories:
Healthy Eating