D I G I T A L
M A G A Z I N E
CUSTOM EDITION TM
Casa Grande Elementary School District Teaching Kids the Importance of Nutrition Education
E N R I C H M E N T
Arizona
Casa Grande Elementary School District is proud to be participating in Wellness Wednesdays serving healthy foods & promoting nutrition education.
Teaching Kids the Importance of Nutrition Education.
Fiber
Iron
Vitamin E
Potassium
Raspberries Raspberries are a type of aggregate fruit.
Aggregate fruits are a collection of drupelets held together.
Every raspberry contains 100-120 Raspberries small seeds – 1 seed per “drupelet.” are a part of the rose family. Raspberries are related to blackberries. 1 raspberry plant can produce 300+ raspberries/year. varieties of Raspberry raspberries. plants can Red raspberries live for up to are the most 10 years. common type of raspberry.
200+
Gold raspberries are the SWEETEST! Depending on the variety, raspberries can be purple, gold or black. Raspberries grow best in places with cool summers & mild winters.
Fiber Fiber supports movement through the digestive system. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body doesn’t digest, it simply passes through. Soluble fiber dissolves in water…it helps regulate blood sugar levels and removes cholesterol form the blood stream.
2
types of fiber:
1. Soluble fiber 2. Insoluble fiber
Fiber helps to regulate the body’s use of sugar.
Fiber is ONLY found in plant foods.
Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water…it helps food move throughout the digestive system.
BOTH forms of fiber are important & beneficial to overall health.
Spinach Spinach is a nutritious, leafy green vegetable.
3
Main Types of Spinach:
1. Savoy 2. Semi Savoy 3. Flat-Leaf
The U.S. harvests around 960,000 pounds of spinach each year. Spinach is a part of the “goosefoot family” because of the shape of its leaves. F R E S H spinach is the B E S T spinach! Spinach loses half of its major nutrients 8 days after harvesting.
Flat-Leaf spinach is the best known & most popular.
Spinach prefer to grow in cooler climates.
Late spring/early summer is peak spinach season. Spinach thrives when grown in sandy soils.
Iron Iron carries oxygen in the blood, supports the immune system & proper brain function. 2 forms of iron: Heme & Non-heme. Heme comes from animal meat and is easily absorbed into the body after eaten.
Non-heme comes from plant foods like spinach!
Non-heme sources of iron are best absorbed into the body when eaten with a source of vitamin C, like an orange. Iron helps muscles function by carrying oxygen to their cells.
Supports a healthy immune system.
Human blood is RED because of iron and oxygen reacting with each other. Iron helps carry oxygen in the blood…similar to how backpacks carry books!
Apples Apples are one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits.
5
of the Most Popular Varieties of Apples:
1. Red Delicious 2. Gala 3. Granny Smith 4. Fuji 5. Golden Delicious
36
apples make 1 gallon of cider.
Most apples are harvested & sold fresh.
The U.S. is home to approximately 322,000 acres of apple orchards.
2,500
varieties of apples are grown in the United States. 21% of apples are juiced.
An apple blossom is the flower that comes from an apple tree. Most An apple tree apples takes at least are 4 years to start HANDproducing fruit. PICKED.
Vitamin E Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant & supports the immune system.
These harmful substances are called free radicals.
Antioxidants help protect against damage caused by exposure to harmful substances in the environment. Vitamin E was discovered in 1922.
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin. Fat soluble vitamins are best absorbed into the body when eaten with foods with healthy fats. Vitamin E supports proper blood function – circulation, clotting & production. Vitamin E also helps to maintain healthy skin.
Vitamin E is a group of 8 essential vitamins.
Cabbage Cabbage is a type of cruciferous vegetable.
Cabbage is closely related to other cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale & cauliflower.
Cabbage has been harvested for over 6,000 years making it one of the OLDEST vegetables in existence. Cabbage can grow up to 6 feet tall. Cabbage leaves have a waxy coating.
Types of Cabbage: 1. Early 2. Late
400+
varieties of cabbage. Early cabbage takes 45 days to mature, and late cabbage takes 87 days. Cabbage is a “coldweather veggie.”
The most popular varieties of cabbage: 1. Green Cabbage 2. Red Cabbage 3. Savoy Cabbage
Potassium Potassium supports balancing fluid in the body & proper function of the muscles and nerves. Once potassium enters the body, it functions as an electrolyte. Helps to keep the body hydrated!
Potassium is the THIRD most abundant mineral in the body.
Electrolytes help balance the amount of water in the body.
FUN FACT:
The body is made up of approximately 60% water. Potassium helps to regulate the heart rate.
Potassium helps to regulate muscle contractions. Many runners eat foods high in potassium before a run to prevent muscle cramps.
Potassium helps promote bone health.
Milk Milk is a type of dairy product – most commonly made from cows.
6
Breeds of Dairy Cows:
1. Ayrshire 2. Brown Swiss 3. Guernsey 4. Holstein 5. Jersey 6. Milking Shorthorn
1 cow produces around 6 gallons of milk/day.
1 serving of milk contains 13 essential nutrients. ALL 50 states have dairy farms!
The U.S. produces ~227 BILLION pounds of milk each year. Holstein cows all have a unique pattern of spots! The reason milk is white is because it contains “casein” - a type of protein.
Milk is the source of ALL dairy products!
Calcium Calcium supports healthy bones & teeth as well as proper blood & muscle function. Calcium is the 5th most abundant chemical element in the Earth’s crust. Calcium helps keep muscles working properly.
99%
Supports
of the body’s calcium is stored in the bones. The other 1% is found in the blood, muscles & other tissues. Calcium helps to heal cuts & wounds.
health.
Food & Nutrition