Information from Our School Nurse - April 2019

March was Nutrition Month.

Studies show that healthy children learn better. Healthy children have the greatest opportunity to achieve their academic potential because they tend to be more alert, better able to concentrate and have a higher cognitive functioning.
Nutrition plays a vital role in achieving optimal health and growth, intellectual development and preventing immediate and chronic health problems. The school community, in partnership with the parents, has an important role in helping kids develop the skills required to maintain a healthy active lifestyle.

• Start your day right by choosing whole grain cereal. Top with fruit and milk. Sprinkle with a few nuts. (Only if not allergic).
• Have 1-2 pieces of fruit or vegetables as a snack.
• Try to get as much calcium from foods as possible. It is absorbed the best.
• Children who drink soft drinks usually drink less milk. Milk and fortified milk substitutes contain many nutrients. Soft drinks contain little or no nutrients. Milk provides bone-building nutrients such as Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorous and Vitamin D.
• Add fresh or frozen vegetables to homemade soups and other recipes for an extra boost.
• Limit processed foods as they are high in salt and additives.
• Emphasize the fact that the “Ideal Body” does not exist and that what’s important is to feel good in their skin and take care of their health.
• The ideal plate would be 1/2 plate vegetables and fruit; 1/4 plate meat and alternatives and 1/4 plate grain products at any meal.