HEALTHY EATING FOR KIDS FITNESS Making it Work by Carol Goodrow, Photos by Linda Smith Please note that our healthy snack program contains foods from all of the food groups (fruit, vegetables, grains, legumes, protein, and dairy). It is a good practice to eat a variety of foods and to realize that there are many nutrients that our bodies need. Different cultures and different types of diets may have benefits and drawbacks. Eating a variety of foods is a best practice. HEALTHY SNACKS Tyler runs into the room and yells, "SMOOTHIE!" All the kids ooh and ah at Tyler's fruity, frozen yogurt-filled thermos. Tyler smiles as he heads to the classroom healthy heart chart. Rachel asks, "Did you know blueberries are very delicious?" Jason snacks on sunflower seeds and so does Weston. Timmy forgets his yogurt in his other classroom so he turns around and RUNS (oops, no running in the school) back to his room. He has to hurry back to the class so that he can be the first one to bring in yogurt, in order to get his name on a the chart. Shona brings in mushrooms and cauliflower for snack and proudly munches away. The next day she brings in a huge piece of celery stuffed with cream cheese. Chris arrives with a whole cucumber which has been peeled and salted by his mom. The kids comment that the cucumber actually smells good. Taylor's eating a tuna sandwich one day and the next day it's turkey. These children are all participating in our classroom "Healthy Snackers UltraMarathon"... and the reward? Each child chooses 3 little prizes from a treasure box of valentine trinkets when our chart of 50 healthy suggested snacks is full. How does the Healthy Snackers UltraMarathon work? If you are the first to bring in one of the 50 snacks listed on the heart chart, you write your name on a strip of paper, glue the strip on the chart, and that snack is "checked off". The first 40 snacks must be brought in by the children. When the children have brought in 40 different healthy snacks, the teacher, student teacher, and classroom aide may also participate. The snacks come from different categories: fruits, vegetables, dairy, protein, and whole grain. They are foods that are naturally low in fat, many have fiber, and they have calories and nutrients that do good for kids' bodies. They limit the 'empty' calories of junk food. But what if you're not the first to bring in a particular snack or if you bring in a healthy snack which we haven't listed? You're not forgotten for ANY time you bring in ANY healthy snack you add a sticker of your choice to a classroom list on our Healthy Snackers Sticker Chart shown below ADULT ROLE MODELS AND PEER SUPPORT This program works for a few reasons. First, the students need a committed adult, someone who firmly believes that children can and will enjoy healthy food choices if they are available and prepared for them. The leader must explain to the children the reasons why healthy snacking is important: fitness, health, disease prevention, and body composition. The explanations must be plain and simple and in kids' language. The leader must also be a role model of health and fitness. It's not okay to ask children to bring healthy snacks to school and then eat cookies and cupcakes in front of them, just like it's not okay to tell children that they need their exercise while you sit on the couch all day. Next, the program is set up to encourage teamwork. The kids applaud their classmates who bring in the snacks which help the whole group reach their goal. Some have great 'classroom' spirit. They have high standards and want to bring in a new snack every day. These children are competitive by nature but they channel their competitiveness and become great team players. They keep a chart on their refrigerator and cross off the different snacks as they bring them to school. They pay close attention to the snacks that their friends bring in and make caluculated decisions as to which snack would be the best bet to bring in the next day...the snack that most likely will NOT be brought in by another classmate. They are playing the odds without realizing it. GETTING FULL CLASS PARTICIPATION Do you want to try this, but are not sure that your children will participate? Here are a few tips on getting your kids to bring in the healthy snacks: 1. Read the list to the children a few times. Have them tell you which snacks they like. 2. Send the list home to parents along with a letter explaining the program. Keep it upbeat and cheerful. 3. Purchase the prizes early. Display a few, but put the prizes away until the chart is complete. 4. Praise the kids when they bring in healthy snack. Make a big deal about the different snacks. 5. Send a personal note home to a child's parents if the child is not participating. Keep it friendly and positive. 6. Encourage children to keep the list on their refrigerator and cross off snacks that have already been 'taken'. 7. Praise a child for bringing in any healthy snack, even if it is a banana every day, but after a while, suggest that the child tries something new. 8. Eat only healthy snacks in front of the child. 9. Occasionally bring in samples of healthy snacks for the kids to try. 10. Supply a healthy snack for that child who just isn't getting the support from home. 11. Design a bulletin board with kids' art promoting healthy snacking. Healthy Snack Bulletin Board Happy Feet, Healthy Food Kids' Club Our after-school club promoting exercise and healthy eating Happy Feet, Healthy Food, Your Child's First Journal of Exercise and Healthy Eating Children's Book Healthy Food Scrapbook Snack Stand Healthy Kids' Charts Polymeal Healthy Snack Ultramarathon 2003 (Kids' names are changed, but this was our actual program, partway through. It shows the healthy snack food list.) Healthy Snacks for an After School Community Program suggestions Classroom Program 2001 including resources, references, and links Email goodrow@infionline.net.