D I G I T A L
M A G A Z I N E
CUSTOM EDITION TM
Okemos Public Schools Teaching Kids the Importance of Health & Wellness
E N R I C H M E N T
Michigan
Okemos Public Schools is proud to be
participating in Wellness Wednesdays serving healthy foods & promoting nutrition education.
Okemos Public Schools Wellness Policy
Teaching Kids the Importance of Nutrition Education.
Vitamin A
Fiber
B Vitamins
Protein
Lettuce
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Lettuce is a type of leafy green vegetable. Darker green lettuce leaves are MORE nutritious than lighter green leaves. MOST Lettuce prefers to grow in colder climates. Iceberg lettuce (also known as crisphead) is the most popular type Lettuce of lettuce in is a part the U.S. of the sunflower family.
LEAST
Main Types of Lettuce:
1. Butterhead 2. Crisphead 3. Looseleaf 4. Romaine California & Arizona grow the most lettuce in the U.S. Lettuce is
95% water.
Lettuce Because is the of lettuce’s second water %, it most must always popular be eaten vegetable in the U.S. FRESH.
Vitamin A Vitamin A supports good vision, growth & immunity. Vitamin A helps improve eyesight to see better at night and experience more vivid colors during the day. How far can you read down this eye chart?
Vitamin A has antioxidant properties. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin.
Vitamin A can help speed up the healing process of cuts & scraps.
How do you know lettuce is good for the eyes? You never see a rabbit wearing glasses! Vitamin A supports the immune system to fight off infections.
Cherries Cherries are a type of stone fruit - a fleshy fruit that contains a hard “pit” inside. Honeybees are cherry trees main pollinators.
2 main types of cherries: tart & sweet.
Cherries grow on trees that are known for their flowers – the cherry blossom.
Bing cherries – the most popular variety of cherry.
Over 1,000 varieties.
Tart cherries are most often used for baking.
An entire cherry tree can be harvested in just 7 seconds. Cherry trees can grow up to be 33 feet tall!
A typical cherry tree produces ~
7,000 cherries.
A cherry tree can survive and produce fruit for around 100 years.
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.
Insoluble fiber is sometimes referred to as “roughage.” Dairy & meat products do not have any fiber.
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.
Sweet Corn Sweet corn is a starchy vegetable.
All 50 states grow sweet corn – find some at your local farmer's market!
Sweet corn is the ONLY variety of An ear of corn corn grown for human consumption. ALWAYS has an even number of rows. In many other countries, corn is called “maize.”
Sweet corn is in peak season from May – Sept.
Only 1% of the corn grown in the U.S. is sweet corn. Corn is considered a grain, fruit & vegetable.
Around 800 kernels on each ear of corn.
Sweet corn is pollinated by the wind.
Sweet corn is the ONLY corn grown for human consumption.
Each stalk produces 1 - 3 ears of corn.
B Vitamins B Vitamins help support the body’s energy levels, brain function & cell metabolism.
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essential B vitamins: Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B7, Vitamin B9 & Vitamin B12. Water is needed to help the body absorb B vitamins. B5, B12, C and E knock on your door…what do you do? In-Vitamin!
B vitamins helps the body make energy from food.
B vitamins help create red blood cells.
The body cannot store most B vitamins, so they need to be regularly consumed.
B vitamins plays a role in serotonin production. Serotonin makes us feel happy.
Milk Milk is a type of dairy product – most commonly made from cows.
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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!
Protein Protein builds, maintains and replaces the tissues in the body. Protein helps to transport & store nutrients throughout the body.
18-20% of the body is protein.
EVERY cell in the human body contains protein.
The body cannot store protein long term… which is why protein needs to be consumed daily.
Protein is made of molecules called amino acids.
Protein plays a big role in building and repairing muscles. Protein is a MACRONURIENT. A macronutrient is a nutrient that the body needs in LARGE amounts.
Amino acids are known as protein’s “building blocks.”
Protein helps maintain fluid balance throughout the body.
Food & Nutrition