Ways to Celebrate National Nutrition Month®
Depending on where you live, March may bring the end of gray, wintery weather. Chase away the gloom and foster excitement by celebrating National Nutrition Month!
Celebrated annually in March, National Nutrition Month® promotes:
Wise nutrition choices
Sound eating habits
A physically active lifestyle
Fuel your future each week
Week 1. Fuel Your Future With Grains
Ask the children what the word “fuel” means. If needed, give an example, such as gas in a car. Explain that food is fuel for our bodies.
Show different pictures of grain foods. Tell the children that grains provide energy or fuel for our bodies to grow and play.
Ask the children to name some of their favorite forms of active play. Eating grains helps fuel their play every day.
Talk about the different grains on the menu this week and, if possible, conduct simple tasting or snack activities in the classroom.
Week 2. Fuel Your Future With Meats/Meat Alternates
Ask the children what the word “future” means. Help them understand that they will be taller and stronger in the future.
Tell the children that the foods we eat every day (for example, meats, fish, beans, cheese, eggs, tofu, and poultry) help our bodies grow.
Show pictures of meats and meat alternates, and ask the children which ones they have tasted before.
Tell them these foods provide something special to our bodies for growth and strength, called protein. They need to eat these foods every day to give their bodies what they need to grow and be strong.
Talk about the different meats and meat alternates on the menu this week and, if possible, conduct simple tasting or snack activities in the classroom.
Week 3. Fuel Your Future With Milk
Ask the children to raise their hands above their heads to show how tall they want to be next year.
Explain that children grow at their own pace.
Tell them that milk contains vitamins and minerals their bodies need for their bones to grow tall and strong.
Discuss that milk is part of your program’s meals (breakfast, lunch, and supper) every day. Encourage each child to drink milk at your program and at home.
Week 4. Fuel Your Future With Fruits and Vegetables
Ask the children to name foods that come in many colors (for example, fruits and vegetables).
Tell the children that colorful fruits and vegetables also have vitamins and minerals. These nutrients help their bodies to grow and build strong bones and muscles so children can play and feel good.
Show pictures of different fruits and vegetables.
Tell the children it is important to eat different colors of fruits and vegetables.
Ask the children what words they think of when eating fruits or vegetables (for example, juicy, crunchy, sweet, etc.).
Talk about the different fruits and vegetables on the menu this week and, if possible, conduct simple tasting or snack activities in the classroom.
Remind the children that eating the different foods offered at meals and snacks fuels their future growth to be taller and stronger. They fuel good health and today’s fun and play!
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. (n.d.). Kids eat right. https://www.eatrightfoundation.org/foundation/resources/kids-eat-right
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. (2022). National nutrition month®. https://www.eatright.org/national-nutrition-month-2023
Institute of Child Nutrition. (n.d.). Aztec grain salad for child care centers. Child Nutrition Recipe Box. https://theicn.org/cnrb/recipes-for-centers-salads/aztec-grain-salad/
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