Jeffco Parents
Focus on
School Nutrition

by Nicolle Haefeli

Winter Activities

As winter goes on, we find ourselves indoors more and less physically active than in the warmer months. It can be a challenge in the cold winter months to keep your kids engaged in physically activity.

Wilmot offers a variety of after-school activities including Intramurals, and the new and improved Evergreen Recreation Center is a great resource for keeping our kid active. Winter sports including snowshoeing, hiking , skiing, snowboarding, and sledding are ways for our kids to keep mentally and physically fit.

Studies show when children’s exercise and fitness needs are met, they are more able to learn and achieve. The balance of healthy food choices and healthy lifestyle means your child/children have more tools to achieving academic success.

Healthy Snacks

Snacks are a bigger part of your children’s diets than ever before. Snack foods can positively or negatively contribute greatly to a child’s overall diet. Making an effort to serve healthy, nutrient dense snacks at home and at school will prove important to providing good nutrition for growth and development.

Being consistent with the snack food options at home, school, and elsewhere is the clearest way to send a message to your children about the importance of healthy food and a healthy life. Keeping snack foods to the basics and as fresh as possible is the easiest and often least expensive way to do this.

Fresh fruits and vegetables can be cut up in cubes, slices, chunks, or served with dips to keep them appealing and exciting for your child/children.

Whole grains are low in fat, and sugar and provide more fiber , vitamins, and minerals than refined grains. Take the time to read the labels of the snack foods you buy and serve your child/children, the first ingredient should be whole wheat or whole grain.

Dairy foods have long been known to protect the heart and bones. Choosing lower fat, non-processed cheeses and dairy foods maximizes the nutritional impact.

Nuts and trail mix for snacks pack a protein punch. They are perfect served along with another snack such as fruit.

Don’t forget water is a great drink to go along with all these healthy snack foods. Water satisfies thirst and keeps those active kids hydrated!

Fruit and Vegetable Promotions

The fruit and vegetable promotion in the lunchroom for the month of January were green beans and oranges. The children were eager to take the samples and discuss their origins. There were thoughtful questions concerning growing foods in the winter months and questions concerning packaging and transportation of fresh fruits and vegetables.

It is encouraging that your child/children are interested in the foods they are eating and engaging in conversations concerning the process of growing foods and getting them to the plate. Watch for more fruit and vegetable promotions in the next months.

To keep updated on Jeffco Parents Focus on School Nutrition and/or to join in the discussion forum please visit us at www.jeffcoparents.org. We welcome your input and look forward to continuing our effort to bettering the nutritional quality of the food offered to our children at school.