Nutrition Lesson at the Children's Museum

For National Nutrition Month, during the month on March, I have been trying to promote nutrition and health through my community, in part with efforts of other members of my local dietetic association. So far, we have gotten proclamations for National Nutrition Month and Registered Dietitian Day, an article written in a local magazine, displays in our local libraries, and lastly, the opportunity to teach about nutrition at our local Children's Museum.

It has been arranged for two classes at the Children's Museum for about 12 kiddos that will take place during their Spring Break Camp. Today's first lesson was on fruits and vegetables. Myself and a local colleague read two books to the kids, Eating the Alphabet and Growing Vegetable Soup, both by Lois Ehlert (and highly recommended!). Next, we had the kids reach their hands into brown grocery sacks with a front flap cut into them, to feel around and without looking, try to guess what the fruit or vegetable was. SO much fun! They were asked to keep their ideas to themselves until everyone had a chance to touch and feel, yet that was SO HARD!  Everyone was very excited to get their guess in. We had a range of different fruit and veggies, but my favorites for them was applesauce and canned pumpkin (both open and in Tupperware).

Monday Message for March 12th

Hard Facts about Soft Drinks

byJodie Shield andMary Mullen, RD MS

 

In 2009 sales of carbonated beverages totaled $18.7 billion—that is about $5 billion more than total milk sales! One reason why soft drinks are so popular is the price. Kids learn quickly that they can get more "bang for their buck" by buying a super-size soft drink instead of an 8-ounce carton of low-fat milk. And, let's face it, the variety of types and flavors of soft drinks—regular, diet, with or without caffeine, cola, uncola, and energy drinks—is a temptation trap.

Sweetened Soft Drinks

The main ingredient in sweetened soft drinks is water; they are about 90 percent carbonated water. They provide essentially no key nutrients and are sweetened with either sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, which is a combination of fructose and dextrose (a sugar that comes from corn). There's been a great debate as to whether high-fructose corn syrup may be the reason why obesity rates in the United States have skyrocketed, but there is not enough scientific evidence to say that this sweetener changes metabolism, increases body fat, or boosts appetite. Many companies are removing high fructose corn syrup from their products, but the key to reaching a healthy weight is to trim calories—cut back on all types of added sugar.
Soft drink flavors come from artificial and natural flavors. Acids such as citric acid and phosphoric acid give a tart taste and act as preservatives. Coloring might also be added. Many soft drinks also contain caffeine. While caffeine is not necessarily harmful, it is a stimulant that can affect kids' alertness and sleep patterns; make them feel anxious, jittery, or dizzy; or cause headaches. Unfortunately, the amount of caffeine is not listed on labels or in the Nutrition Facts, but most caffeine-free soft drinks say so on the label.
If your child or teen drinks sweetened soft drinks, consider these Think Before You Drink tips:

• Cut down the quantity over time. Each week, have your kid cut back until he or she reaches the goal of drinking one serving or less a day. And, no, a 64-ounce cup is not a serving! The daily limit should be no more than 8 to 12 ounces, or—better yet—none at all.
• Diet sodas are a better alternative than regular sodas, but water is the best way to quench thirst.
• Serve water or low-fat or fat-free milk at meals instead of soft drinks

Monday Message from March 5th

Vegetable Oil in the Refrigerator?



Vegetable oils will keep longer when refrigerated. Although some oils have a shelf life of a year or more, others such as flaxseed, sesame and walnut oils should be stored in the refrigerator. Eventually, all oils will become rancid with an off smell and taste. If this happens, it won't make you sick, but you should toss the oil anyway. To keep oil fresh longer, keep it away from heat, light and air.