Many educators would agree that students should understand their bodies and what they put in them. High school teacher Michael Rosales not only agrees, but also takes steps to engage his students in the fundamentals of nutrition education.

Even with his busy schedule teaching Science, PE and coaching football at Sacramento's Florin High School, Mr. Rosales makes time for at least one day to discuss healthy eating habits in his science classes. When I asked him why, he says nutrition is a valuable part of a child's growth and development that is often over looked in  education, "I take time to add this into my curriculum because I feel it is so important".

What do you like about Activity & Eating?

I like that it combines both healthy eating and physical activity, because they go hand in hand. It's quick, very informative and appealing to the students. Everything I need for the lesson is provided for free and I like that I can turn to the Dairy Council of California for additional resources like handouts for students and for parents.

As we start the New Year we'd like to share with you an email that we received from a third grade teacher:

I am a 3rd grade teacher for special education students in a self-contained classroom in Irvine.  This is the first year I introduced your entire 3rd grade curriculum.  Today was parent teacher conference day and a parent shared the following:  

She eagerly shared that she felt the lessons were life-changing and powerful. She commented that the program is so successful that her son ate some vegetables he would never have considered prior to the teaching.  Mom went on to say how much this has impacted their eating habits since her son talks about the pyramid and healthy foods at almost every meal.  He even asked about the calories and stated the sugar content in an unhealthy snack.  

Thank you for bringing this wonderful curriculum into our classroom.  It truly is changing lives.

Patricia L. Young

Laguna Hills, California

Hearing stories like these from teachers is very rewarding and encouraging. Thank you Patricia for the email and to all teachers that are taking the time to teach health to children in schools.

Maureen Bligh, RD

Project Manager

On the first day of 2011, Dairy Council of California gave to thee, 

Californians eating healthfully.

On the second day of 2011, Dairy Council of California gave to thee,

Two wonderful websites and Californians eating healthfully.

On the third day of 2011, Dairy Council of California gave to thee,

A positive approach to healthy eating, two wonderful websites and Californians eating healthfully.

On the fourth day of 2011, Dairy Council of California gave to thee,

4 convenient office locations, a positive approach to healthy eating, two wonderful websites and Californians eating healthfully.

On the fifth day of 2011, Dairy Council of California gave to thee,

5 important food groups, 4 convenient office locations, a positive approach to healthy eating, two wonderful websites and Californians eating healthfully.

On the sixth day of 2011, Dairy Council of California gave to thee,

6 Mobile Dairy Classroom instructors, 5 important food groups, 4 convenient office locations, a positive approach to healthy eating, two wonderful websites and Californians eating healthfully.

On the seventh day of 2011, Dairy Council of California gave to thee,

Resources for health professionals, 6 Mobile Dairy Classroom instructors, 5 important food groups, 4 convenient office locations, a positive approach to healthy eating, two wonderful websites and Californians eating healthfully.

On the eighth day of 2011, Dairy Council of California gave to thee,

8 grade specific nutrition lesson plans, resources for health professionals, 6 Mobile Dairy Classroom instructors, 5 important food groups, 4 convenient office locations, a positive approach to healthy eating, two wonderful websites and Californians eating healthfully.

On the ninth day of 2011, Dairy Council of California gave to thee,

9 ‘Meals Matter Moms’, 8 grade specific nutrition lesson plans, resources for health professionals, 6 Mobile Dairy Classroom instructors, 5 important food groups, 4 convenient office locations, a positive approach to healthy eating, two wonderful websites and Californians eating  healthfully.

On the tenth day of Christmas, Dairy Council of California gave to thee,

An online workplace wellness toolkit, 9 ‘Meals Matter Moms’, 8 grade specific nutrition lesson plans, resources for health professionals, 6 Mobile Dairy Classroom instructors, 5 important food groups, 4 convenient office locations, a positive approach to healthy eating, two wonderful websites and Californians eating healthfully.

On the eleventh day of 2011, Dairy Council of California gave to thee,

‘Eat Better, Eat Together’ family meals pledge, an online workplace wellness toolkit, 9 ‘Meals Matter Moms’, 8 grade specific nutrition lesson plans, resources for health professionals, 6 Mobile Dairy Classroom instructors, 5 important food groups, 4 convenient office locations, a positive approach to healthy eating, two wonderful websites and Californians eating healthfully.

On the twelfth day of 2011, Dairy Council of California gave to thee,

Thousands of students learning about nutrition, ‘Eat Better, Eat Together’ family meals pledge, an online workplace wellness toolkit, 9 ‘Meals Matter Moms’, 8 grade specific nutrition lesson plans, resources for health professionals, 6 Mobile Dairy Classroom instructors, 5 important food groups, 4 convenient office locations, a positive approach to healthy eating, two wonderful websites and Californians eating healthfully.

Thank you for making 2011 a success! Happy holidays and best wishes for the New Year.

by Ashley Rosales, RD

Project Manager

Here in Merced City School District we have had the opportunity to work with local chefs. A small mini-grant provided the funds we needed to conduct a project that taught fifth grade students the skills to prepare healthy recipes and taught them the benefits of eating healthy. This project was piloted at Ada Givens Elementary School beginning in the Spring of 2009. The success of the program has allowed it to be conducted for three years.

Julie Acker was the energy behind the project. She is the School Cafeteria Manager and she has a passion for sharing her love of healthy cooking. Along with a local chef, Julie conducted a series of cooking classes with her fifth grade students. The recipes prepared included; Orange Banana Smoothies, Tropical Fruit Salad, Veggie Wrap, Strawberry Yogurt Parfait, and many more.

All of the recipes featured fresh veggies and fruits and/or low-fat dairy products. Julie chose these recipes because she knew that her students did not eat enough of these foods.
The cooking classes allowed students to learn knife skills, basic measurements, table setting and reading recipes. In addition, students learned the benefits of eating fresh produce and consuming adequate amounts of low-fat dairy products. Students were expected to take the information they had larned and share the recipes and knowledge with their school community.

After attending the cooking classes, fifth grade students prepared the recipes, developed flyers promoting the health benefits of the recipe and conducted a “taste testing activity” for the K-4th grade students at Ada Givens School. The response from K-4th students was overwhelmingly positive. The students loved the new recipes and enjoyed learning from their fellow students. The project has been so successful that some of the recipes are being adapted and tested for use in the School Meals Program.

Plans are in place to replicate this project at the Chenoweth site for the 2011-2012 school year. I hope to expand the project to include 1-2 more elementary sites in the coming year.

Terri Soares, Registered Dietitian
School Food Service Director
Merced Unified School District

Much has been written about the health benefits of children eating breakfast. Some of the key benefits of breakfast for school children include:

• Students who eat breakfast are in class more often, have improved behavior and better brain functioning.
• Effective school breakfast programs are associated with higher achievement test scores, better grades, and positive learning environments. Successful school breakfast programs are also associated with lower rates of absenteeism and tardiness, as well as fewer visits to the school nurse.

It is also important to remember that some children need school-sponsored meals in order to avoid hunger. During our long recession, participation in the school meals program has skyrocketed. Fortunately, school breakfast and lunch meals offer reliable and consistent sources of food, assuring that our children get the nutrients they need.

Beyond the obvious benefits of academics and health, school breakfast meals can also provide a positive environment that help to build a sense of community. To learn more about this aspect of school breakfast, I interviewed Dayle Hayes, MS, RD, creator of School Meals That Rock  on Facebook.  Dayle has devoted her career to child nutrition and developing effective healthy school environments. As you’ll see from her responses to my questions below, lately she has been focusing not only on what children eat at school but also on how they are eating.

Can school meals be fashioned into a type of “family meal?”

Eating school breakfast in the classroom can easily be a good model for positive communal mealtimes. Some states mandate school breakfast in high risk areas and four (California, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Indiana) consider the time children are eating in the classroom as instructional time. While children are eating the teacher can:

• Discuss the expectations for the day, i.e. helping the class get organized
• Read or tell a story
• Encourage children to converse in small groups

What do teachers think about breakfast in the classroom?

Teachers with experience in providing breakfast in their classroom recognize the social benefits of this time together. Breakfast time brings a calming atmosphere to the classroom – centering the students’ attention on what is to occur next. Students work as a classroom community to help with set up and clean up which helps to teach responsibility. In many ways this experience parallels what we encourage families to provide during meals at home.

Why should schools strive to support pleasant and positive mealtimes vs. just getting the students fed?

Mealtime should be a time for students to relax, socialize and nourish their bodies and minds. When the eating environment is pleasant, students eat and behave better. More positive environments included trained adults supervising the cafeteria or classroom and schedules that allow adequate time for students to eat.

Since the beginning of human culture, eating together has been important to families and communities – and provides rituals that bind us together. School breakfast in the classroom can also help to fulfill this role. What are your schools doing to create a family-like, positive mealtime eating experience?

Maureen Bligh, RD
Project Manager

Halloween may be synonymous with candy and sugary sweets, but that is no reason to give up on healthy eating. Serving a balanced family meal before heading out to Halloween festivities can help to keep your ghouls from gobbling up all their candy before they get home.

Start with a festive family meal of Dinner in a Pumpkin, Spiced Hot Chocolate and Baked Pears. Be sure to save the seeds when scooping out your pumpkin and enjoy Spicy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds later in the week. Enjoy Pumpkin, Potato and Leek Soup, Cauldron of Chili with Spider Bread and Cauliflower Gratin with Prosciutto to Eat Better, Eat Together all week long.

Visit Facebook to take the Eat Better, Eat Together family meal pledge and follow the Twitter hashtag #EatBetter2Gether for family meal updates. Then register at MealsMatter.org to add these and other recipes to your personalized family meal plan and shopping list.

“Family Meals Matter” features registered dietitian-approved recipes from the thousands of user-contributed recipes available at the free family-nutrition and meal-planning website, Meals Matter, maintained by registered dietitian moms with Dairy Council of California. Healthy Eating Made Easier™

Happy Halloween from the Dairy Council of California

 Photo Caption:  Spiced Hot Chocolate, EatingWell.

Halloween conjures up fond memories of my two grown daughters – finding or making the perfect costume…debating the look that our carved jack-o-lantern should sport…and, of course, trick-or-treating.  Some people might think that with a mother who is a dietitian and a father who is a dentist, Halloween wouldn’t be celebrated in our household, or that we’d be giving out sugar-free gum or floss and confiscate all of daughters’ goodies.

Wrong! My husband and I wanted them to experience this kids’ tradition to the fullest…and that included candy. Sure, there are substitutes that kids like – stickers, small plastic toys, bubbles. One year a dental colleague gave out Flintstone toothbrushes that were a big hit! But in no way do these items negate the allure of candy.

My advice to parents is just relax…lighten up…and use a touch of common sense. Indulging in candy treats on this one special night (and maybe a handful of days after) is not going to condemn a child to a life sentence of sugar addiction. The more focus you put on forbidding children to have candy, the stronger their desire to have it.

With our own daughters we held a typical goodie bag inspection at the end of the evening, primarily a safety check. Then they could each pick about 15 of the pieces they most wanted to keep. The rest of the candy made its way to Dad’s golf buddies or Mom’s tap dance class colleagues. I always suggested to my girls that they eat one, maybe two pieces a day, but I didn’t monitor that. They could eat the candy as quickly or slowly as they chose. My younger daughter, a slave to instant gratification, usually depleted her supply within three days. But then she was done – no begging for more or splurging her allowance on candy bars, licorice whips, etc. And she was fine with that. My older daughter, the planner/saver, would stretch her supply out over about three weeks. She liked to savor. And once I even found a few pieces in a drawer in December – she’d forgotten about them! 

If you don’t make the candy a major issue, it’s likely your children won’t either. Keep Halloween in perspective – in no way will you undermine the everyday healthy habits you’re trying to nurture in your children. Kids recognize this is a special occasion and not the norm. I suggest you take pressure off of your kids and yourself – just enjoy a delightful, guilt-free day!

What are some of the ways you handle the Halloween “loot” collected by your children? 
 
Mary Anne Burkman, MPH, R.D.
Director, Program Services

This week we are celebrating the important role the National School Lunch Program has played in child nutrition. Our previous blog post shared the reason for its being, which was to provide hungry children the foods needed to be optimally nourished so they can learn and grow healthy. The National School Lunch Program has a long history of helping achieve this goal, and since the early 1900’s the dairy industry has also played a pivotal role supporting this effort. In fact, it was around this time that the founders of the Dairy Council of California, Sam Greene and Chester Earl Grey, saw the opportunity to bring the nutrition inherent in dairy products to California schools. They knew that they could provide a much needed service to the public that would benefit generations to come.

The Beginning of the School Milk Program: In the early 1920’s, Greene surveyed California schools to get a clear picture of the state of school nutrition. This survey found that on average 36% of children did not receive milk on a regular basis. This meant a significant number of children were missing out on milk's critically important nutrients needed for optimal growth and health, such as calcium, protein, vitamin A and D. The results of this survey were instrumental in adding milk to the school lunch menu. As a result of milk being served in the California school lunch program, by 1950 per capita milk consumption had increased 25%. And with the inauguration of the Child Nutrition Act and its Special Milk program, milk consumption in schools increased nearly 10-fold over the 23 year period from 1947-1970.

Dairy Industry's Commitment to Child Nutrition: The dairy industry has been committed not only to providing milk and dairy foods to students as part of a balanced, nutritious meal, but also to teaching them how to eat healthfully from all five food groups. Providing nutrition education about the health value of milk and dairy products was at the core of Greene’s vision for the creation of the Dairy Council of California. He believed that you could make a lifelong impact on the health of children if you taught them how to include nutrient-rich foods, like milk, into their everyday choices. This commitment to nutrition education and the desire to contribute to community health is the reason the California dairy industry has continued to support the Dairy Council of California for over 90 years.

Let’s continue to celebrate this commitment by supporting the efforts made on behalf of the National School Lunch Program and take the time to teach nutrition education in schools.

Ashley Rosales, RD
Project Manager

There has been a lot of attention on the national school lunch program recently, and for good reason. School lunches play an integral part of child nutrition, nourishment, and helping children to grow healthy. The week of October 10-14 marks the celebration of National School Lunch Week. One of our longstanding partners, the School Nutrition Association (SNA), has announced the theme, “School Lunch: Let’s Grow Healthy” in partnership with the Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP). In order to honor the accomplishments of the National School Lunch Program, let’s reflect briefly on its reason for being, look at the strides that have been made to improve the health of children through school lunches, and lastly, reinforce the positive direction all of us are taking to ensure children grow up healthy.

History of the School Lunch Program: In 1904 Robert Hunter published a book called Poverty, which had a very strong influence on the U.S. effort to feed hungry, needy children in schools. Hunter shed light on the epidemic of hunger plaguing American children from impoverished families. He brought attention to the fact that “learning is difficult because hungry stomachs…are not able to feed the brain. The lack of learning among so many poor children is certainly due, to an important extent, to this cause.” In the years that followed, and with motivation to resolve this problem, cities around the country began experimenting with school feeding programs.

School Lunches Help Children ‘Grow Healthy’: Since President Truman began the National School Lunch Program in 1946 it has served our nation admirably for over 60 years through advanced practices and nutrition education. Every day, the National School Lunch Program serves over 31 million children with nutritionally balanced, healthy meals. And just like 60 years ago, they are addressing major public health concerns through this program. We have watched as school lunches helped diminish an epidemic of rickets caused by malnutrition back in the early 1900’s, and we are now helping address an epidemic of childhood obesity. Today, all meals provided are based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which means they are served in appropriate portions and limited in the amount of calories from fat. They also provide one-third the Recommended Daily Allowances of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, calcium, and calories. But for all that the National School Lunch Program is doing to help address childhood obesity, they are still fulfilling their founding mission, to provide hungry children the foods needed to be optimally nourished so they can learn and grow healthy. For that let us all say “thank you”, as feeding our nation’s children is one of the most important jobs there is.

Ashley Rosales, RD
Project Manager