The Importance of Nutrition

As a classroom community, lets work together to make a healthy and positive difference
in the lives of our children! These newsletters will provide you with useful information
that can be used to implement good nutrition in your daily lives.

What is Nutrition?

Nutrition: (noun) The act or process of nourishing

or being nourished (dictionary.com)
Nutrition is composed of all of the carbohydrates,
proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water that
you consume to satisfy your body and its needs
Nutrition can have a large impact on a persons
health and well-being

Importance of Nutrition in
Relation to Childrens Health
Nutrition is a strong component in the overall health of a
person, especially a growing student. Studies have shown
that The mothers nutritional and emotional status
throughout pregnancy continues to affect her childs
future physical and mental health, behavior and ability.
(House, page 10) In addition to the health of a child
during the prenatal stage, it is important to enforce
healthy habits while childrens minds are still growing and
forming. Childrens choices eating, exercise, emotional
attitudes and relationships are already profoundly
affecting any children they may have, their mental and
physical health. (House, page 10) This is additional
evidence of the fact that the more we enrich
our childrens lives with nutrition and healthy
habits, the more likely future generations will
experience good health as well. Today we can
make a difference for generations to come.
1

Nutrition Found in
Children Today
Most children still consume
too few fruits and vegetables,
in spite of progress. About 60%
of children consume fewer
fruits than recommended, and
93% of children consume fewer
vegetables than
recommended. (Kim, page 5)
References: 12, 14, 18, 19, 20, 22

How We Incorporate
Nutrition in the Classroom
and our Daily Lives!
I am honored to have your children in my
class for a large majority of their day!
Therefore, I understand that it is my
responsibility to ensure that they are engaged
and learning the importance of health,
nutrition, and their overall well-being. Here is
a glimpse of some of the awesome activities,
discussions, and lessons shared throughout
the year in our classroom:

Delicious and Healthy Recipe

In our classroom, incorporating the produce we grew in our garden,

we made a delicious snack! Here is the recipe that you can try at
home!

Baked Zucchini Chips

Serving size: 1 person
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 1 hour

During bellwork, students are asked to

write what they had for breakfast. As a Ingredients:
1 zucchini
class, we then discuss modifications
Olive Oil
they can do to make it healthier.

Use the produce from the garden to

learn about the health and nutritional
benefits of fruits and vegetables. We
look at how certain colors offer certain
vitamins and also the importance of
including these foods in their daily
diet.

Math problems incorporate fruits and

vegetables as opposed to cookies and
sweets.

Cooking demonstrations give students

the opportunity to take their health
into their own hands!

Salt (as desired)

Paprika (as desired)
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit
Slice zucchini very thinly
In a mixing bowl, mix the zucchini with a little bit of olive
oil, salt, and paprika. (Be sure to not put too much olive oil
or else it will be soggy; at maximum put 1 tablespoon.)
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper
Place zucchini slices on baking sheet without touching each
other
Bake for 30 minutes
Flip zucchini slices and bake again for 30 minutes
When crispy, take them out of the oven and let them cool
for a couple of minutes, then enjoy!
*Eat them within two hours or they will lose their
crispiness!
Recipe found on: http://ohsnapletseat.com/2013/04/08/ahealthy-snack-paleo-baked-zucchini-chips/

Taking Charge of our Health

One Seed at a Time

Throughout the school year, our classroom will be tending the

classroom garden filled with delicious, fresh grown fruits and
vegetables. In addition students have the opportunity to learn
about nutrition, the environment, and science topics including
the ecosystem and water cycle. The students hold full
responsibility in taking care of the garden; providing it the
necessary ingredients for success and exhibiting the
importance of teamwork. The students get the opportunity to
try different vegetables and fruits, a reward being the result of
their hard work! Be sure to check out our garden the next time
you come to Academics Elementary, located in the back
playground. Ask your children questions and let them explain
to you all that they have learned!
References: 2, 15, 21
2

Expert bodies have identified

parents, schools, early care and
education providers, community and
business leaders, and state and local
officials as stakeholders who might
affect the nutrition environments of
children. (Kim, page 5)

Understanding the Facts

What you can do at

home

Although your children will be educated in school

about nutrition and health, it is crucial that these
ideas are also portrayed at home. As teachers and
parents, we have the opportunity to positively
influence our students. Children are still learning
and gaining new habits, and together it should be
our missions to ensure those habits are healthy ones
for students to engage in for the rest of their lives.
Here are some examples and resources to help you
incorporate nutrition in your home!

1. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/arti
cles/50-after-school-snacks.page-3.html

This is a great resource to help you make healthy

snacks and meals for your children. Let your
children help prepare the snack so they have a role
in their health and wellness as well!

During an experiment in the United

Kingdom, NUTRIMENTHE, it was found
that, Parents also spoke of mental
performance being affected by particular types
of food. For example, a healthy balanced
diet has a positive effect on mental
performance whereas food with a high sugar
and/or fat content has a negative effect.
(Horton, page 51)
Eating fruits and vegetables adds important
nutrients, helps control weight, and reduces
the risks for many serious illnesses. (Kim,
page 5)
Having positive role models (parents,
teachers, community leaders) who express
healthy habits reinforce the desire in children
to perform those habits as well.

Unfortunately, children today are not getting

their necessary daily doses of many nutrients.
These are crucial for their growth and wellbeing. Simple changes like enjoying an apple
with peanut butter instead of caramel, or
ensuring that the juice they drink is 100% real
juice are easy ways for ensuring the health of
our children.

2. http://www.choosemyplate.gov
Brought to you by the USDA, MyPlate is an
initiative to ensure that families understand
nutrition and health. It has many recipes, resources,
and tips to being healthy. It also includes a tracker
so you can keep track of your daily nutrition and
make changes to your daily diet if necessary.

3. http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPac
kagingLabeling/LabelingNutrition/ucm27
4593.htm#nopercent
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chic
ago/news.aspx?id=196734
The first link uses illustration and text describing
how to understand a food label and what you
should be looking for. The second link is two
experts sharing information on what they feel is
important in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle by
reading the labels on food.

http://www.genconnect.com/health/8-tips-to-get-your-kids-toeat-healthier-foods-cricket-azima/ is also a creative resource

sharing ways to get your children involved in their health!

References: 1, 5, 6, 11, 13, 14, 17

3

Nutritions Impact on Behavior

There have been various studies that have come out showing that poor nutrition can lead to poor
behavior. There are already studies that suggest that providing a better diet to young children would
prevent a significant proportion of antisocial behavior. (Gesch, pg 60) There was a research study that
tested and observed the behavior of young people in prison (18-21years of age) and how there behaviors
changed when they were provided nutrients that were originally missing from their body. The result was
that those who received the extra nutrients committed significantly fewer offences compared with
placebo. (Gesch, pg 60) This study illustrates the importance of providing our children with all of the
essential nutrients to ensure that negative
behavior is not due to a lack of nutrients. There
have also been studies regarding the impact of
indulging in sugary-containing soft drinks (four
cups a day), and found that those who did
consume a large amount of sugary soft drinks
had the poorest health conditions and conduct
problems. With the increased production and
consumption of sugary drinks, it should be our
responsibility to promote healthier options and
explain the importance of being healthy.
Good nutrition is essential irrespective of
race, age, legislative boundaries, whether you
are in prison, or in a rich or developing
country. It is a basic need that unites us all;
hence it is not where you eat that is
important, but what you eat (Gesch, pg 61)

Broccoli-and-Cheddar Mini
Quiches

Ingredients:
-2 cups broccoli florets
-1 cup milk (do not use skim)
-1 cup heavy cream
-2 large eggs plus 2 large egg yolks
-1 cup grated Cheddar
Broccoli is the source of a special molecule that might -1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/2 teaspoon pepper
be able to help enhance the lives of children with Autism.
-1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Sulphoraphane (the molecule) is found in cruciferous
vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage, but more so Instructions:
in the raw vegetables than cooked. (Doyle) A study included -Preheat oven to 350F and line a large rimmed baking
sheet with foil. Grease 8 cups in a 12-cup muffin tin and set
40 young men who all had moderate to severe Autism. They
were either provided a capsule with the molecule or a placebo aside. Pour 1 inch of water into a large saucepan and put in
a steamer basket. Place broccoli in steamer basket, cover
(nothing in the pill). The men were rated on irritability,
pot, turn heat to high and let cook until broccoli is just
tiredness, repetitive movements, hyperactivity,
tender, 5 to 6 minutes. Let broccoli cool slightly, then chop
communication, motivation and mannerisms. (Doyle)
Around 2/3 of those who were given the molecule were found into small pieces.
-In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, cream, eggs and
to be much more calm, and
egg yolks. Stir in cheese, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Add
improved in behavior and social
chopped broccoli.
interactions. Sulphroaphane did
-Put muffin tin on baking sheet, then ladle egg mixture into
not work for all of the men and
most improvements stopped after prepared muffin cups, filling each cup. Bake until lightly
browned and no longer jiggly in center, about 25 minutes.
a month. While they are still
Let cool slightly, then run a knife around each quiche. Put
working out the glitches, this
a clean baking sheet on top of muffin pan and invert to
could be a new, easy tool to
unmold quiches. Serve warm or at room temperature.
helping children with Autism.
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/broccoli-andReferences: 4, 7, 10
cheddar-mini-quiches

Broccoli- A Green Worth

Eating

Nutrition in an Urban
Context
The health consequences of urban diets are
already visible in the epidemic of obesity, but we are
only beginning to appreciate them in brain chemistry,
mental health, cognition and social behavior. (Gesch,
pg 57) Urban areas are usually categorized as povertystricken and lacking resources and support. Living in
cities where most of the land is covered by cement,
buildings, stores, and homes; fresh produce and meat
are not available to those living in the inner-city.
People living in urban areas are directed towards cheap
convenient food filled with preservatives and lacking
nutrients found on shelves, as opposed to fresh foods
packed with nutrients! With the development of urban
agriculture/ farming, cities that were confined to
convenient stores now have access to fresh food grown
close by. Urban agriculture is growing or producing
food in a city or heavily populated town or
municipality There is no single characterization of
size or placement; some are on rooftops, on landfills,
brownfields, or areas where housing or industry may
have been demolished. (Greensgrow Farms, pg 1)
The reasons for the creation for urban farms are
different for many people, but a common goal includes
ensuring that people living in urban areas are not
denied the opportunity to indulge in fresh, nutritious
food due to their financial status or living location.
Some urban farms are built exclusively for education,
training or re-entry programs. Many are built to
improve food access in a specific community or to
continue traditional culinary cultures. Some are built
as for profit concerns, recognizing that the savings on
food transportation can make urban farming
financially viable as well as more environmentally
responsible. For others food justice is the reason to
develop urban farms in their communities, which
means improving the access to fresh food for
economically disadvantaged communities.
(Greensgrow Farms, pg 1)

Urbanization has been

associated with diminished
levels of physical activity,
compromised sleep and
unhealthy dietary choices.
(Logan and Jacka, pg 1)
As a class we have recognized the importance of
eating healthy and how it impacts our body. Many of
their physical education activities are related to
nutrition, and they have learned that there is a
correlation between nutrition and being physically
active. As a teacher, I ensure that my students are
never denied lunch or recess for disciplinary reasons,
because I understand the importance of being nutritious
and physically active, and I want to express to my
students that this these healthy habits are required, not a
reward. The school has been working to find grants and
funds that will ensure that students will receive free
healthy snack options at least twice a day. We have had
class discussions about eating nutritiously and
moderately, since depression and eating disorders can
stem from a lack of education about nutrition and
healthful eating.

ABCs of Healthy Foods While it may be difficult to remember every fruit and
vegetable and the vitamins they are packed with, here are few to remember while ordering at a
restaurant, shopping for ingredients for tonights dinner, or deciding what would be a healthy snack!

Vitamin A
-Kale
-Broccoli
-Tomato

Vitamin B
-Crimini
Mushrooms
-Red Bell
Peppers

Vitamin C
-Strawberries
-Cabbage
-Pineapple
-Orange
-Beets
-Green
Beans
5

Vitamin E
-Spinach
-Kiwi

Zinc
-Peas
-Lima
Beans

Selenium
-Asparagus
-Mushroom
-Garlic
References: 3, 8, 9,
10, 16

References
References
1. Azima, C. (2014, April 2). 8 Tips to Get Your Kids to Eat Healthier Foods.
Retrieved October 15, 2014, from http://www.genconnect.com/health/8tips-to-get-your-kids-to-eat-healthier-foods-cricket-azima/
2. A Healthy Snack: Baked Zucchini Chips. (2014, April 8). Retrieved October 14,
2014, from http://ohsnapletseat.com/2013/04/08/a-healthy-snack-paleobaked-zucchini-chips/
3. Benefits of Urban Farming. (2013, June 3). Retrieved November 11, 2014, from
http://www.urgecapetown.co.za/?p=326
4. Broccoli-and-Cheddar Mini Quiches. (2008, February 1). Retrieved November 10,
2014, from http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/broccoli-and-cheddar-miniquiches
5. ChooseMyPlate.gov. (2011, June 2). Retrieved October 14, 2014, from
http://www.choosemyplate.gov
6. Crofts, J. (2011, November 29). Confused reading food labels? Two experts break
it down. Retrieved October 14, 2014, from
http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=196734
7. Doyle, K. (2014, October 14). Broccoli May Hold The Secret to Improving
Autism. Retrieved November 10, 2014, from
https://www.yahoo.com/health/broccoli-may-hold-the-secret-to-improvingautism-99994821267.html
8. Farms, G. (n.d.). What is Urban Farming? Retrieved November 11, 2014, from
http://www.greensgrow.org/urban-farm/what-is-urban-farming/
9. Food Alternatives & Healthy Food Choices. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2014,
from
http://www.melslife.com/33/Food_Alternatives_&_Healthy_Food_Choices
.html
10. Gesch, B. (2014). Adolescence: Does good nutrition = good behaviour? Nutrition
and Health,22(1), 55-65.
11. Horton, C. (2014). Nutrition and mental performance in children The
NUTRIMENTHE project. Nutrition and Health, 22(1), 47-53.
12. House, S. (2014). Transgenerational healing: Educating children in genesis of
healthy children, with focus on nutrition, emotion, and epigenetic effects on
brain development.Nutrition and Health, 22(1), 9-45.
13. How to Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label. (2014, June 18).
Retrieved October 15, 2014, from
http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/LabelingNutritio
n/ucm274593.htm#nopercent
6

14. Kim, S., Moore, L., Galuska, D., Wright, A., Harris, D., Grummer-Strawn, L., ...
Rhodes, D. (2014). Vital Signs: Fruit and Vegetable Intake Among Children
United States, 20032010.Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 63(1), 1-6.
Retrieved October 14, 2014, from
http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR/pdf/wk/mm63e0805.pdf
15. Learning About Nutrition in the Classroom: Tips for Teachers. (2012, October 15).
Retrieved October 14, 2014, from
http://education.cuportland.edu/blog/educator-tips/learning-aboutnutrition-in-the-classroom-tips-for-teachers/
16. Logan, A., & Jacka, F. (2014, January 1). Nutritional psychiatry research: An
emerging discipline and its intersection with global urbanization,
environmental challenges and the evolutionary mismatch. Retrieved November
11, 2014, from http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1880-6805-33-2
2.pdf
17. Network, F. (2014). 50 After-School Snacks. Retrieved October 14, 2014, from
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/articles/50-after-school-snacks.page3.html
18. Nutrition. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved October 13, 2014, from
Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nutrition
19. Nutrition Outreach and Education Program. (2010, January 1). Retrieved October
15, 2014, from http://ccseniorservices.org/programs-services/nutritionoutreach-and-education-program/
20. Nutrition Programs. (2013, January 1). Retrieved October 15, 2014, from
http://www.nationalgrocers.org/industry-issues/nutrition-programs
21. Outdoor Garden Classroom Tour ~ Aug 19. (2013, August 12). Retrieved October
15, 2014, from http://submit.nachicagonorth.com/Chicago-Blog/NaturalAwakenings-Blog-2012/Outdoor-Garden-Classroom-Tour-Aug-19/
22. Why Should Your Children Enjoy Vegetarian Food? (2014, July 24). Retrieved
October 15, 2014, from
http://attendvls.org/why-should-your-children-enjoy-vegetarian-food/