Nixon Health Office

Health Tips: Replacing that daily soda or fruit drink with water or other calorie-free beverages can have about 150 calories per day and result in a 16 pound weight loss over one year. Each time you run the dishwasher, place the kitchen sponge on the top rack. The super hot temperatures will help kill bacteria that is frequently present in sponges.

Healthy Snack Ideas: One daily activity that cannot be stressed enough is SNACK TIME! This is a very important and necessary part of your child's morning. Fit, well nourished children are much better equipped to conduct the difficult task of learning. A child who is hungry mid-morning will not be as successful and focused as their peers. Please do not accept your child's comments,

A small, nutritious snack, (not a full meal), will carry a child through the morning after eating a good breakfast. It is also imperative your child does not leave home without breakfast. A child who eats dinner at 6 p.m. and then leaves for home without breakfast and snack, will go 18 hours without eating. As you can well conclude, that is far too long for growing bodies. When serving your child(ren) breakfast and packing a snack, ask yourself, "What nutritional benefits will my child get from this food?" Children have different nutritional needs, so ask yourself, "Is this food providing some of the vitamins my child needs? Does this food give my child some fiber or protein?" Lets try to make answers to those questions, YES! Some students may need a little extra fat in their diets, while others could benefit from less fat. Try to taylor snacks to the health needs of your particular child.

Here are many suggestions for your consideration. Please be aware not all of these snacks are suitable for all classrooms, depending on existing allergies of those students in the classroom.

Childhood Obesity and Poor Nutrition have become major health concerns over the past decade. Children are constantly bombarded on television with commercials aimed at getting children to encourage their parents buy all sorts of unhealthy food products. The future health implications of poor nutrition are serious ones, namely obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

Please take the time to talk with your children about smart food choices, and how important they are for learning and doing well at school, at sports and play, and for feeling good and staying healthy. It's easier for children to make healthy food choices when they know their families "nutrition rules." For example, everyone in the family starts the day with breakfast, milk is the beverage served at meals, and in-school and after-school snacks are from the food groups, not the tip of the food pyramid. Or perhaps sweets are permitted, but one per day instead of four or five.

When ordering food from a fast food restaurant, convenience store or vending machine, encourage your child to find more nutritious options such as shakes or flavored milk instead of soda. On a daily basis here at Nixon, many students are bringing in chips, cookies, brownies, candy, and sugar-based drink boxes for their daily in-school snack. After eating a high sugar food it is normal to experience a sluggish sensation which inhibits the ability to pay attention and concentrate in class.

Please pack your child snacks that are not only are healthy choices but will make them feel better. Healthy choices include: yogurt, cheese and crackers, pretzels, peanut-butter and crackers (unless your child is in a peanut-free classroom), fresh fruit, dry cereal, popcorn, granola bars ( not the candy bar type), veggies with low fat dip, yogurt covered pretzels and raisins. A small 8 oz. water bottle or 100% juice box would be a much healthier choice than the "juice" boxes that have little or no juice, but plenty of sugar.

Nixon Health Office

Healthy Food