St. Johns Unified School District
Teaching Kids the Importance of Nutrition Education
TM 2024 EDITION D I G I T A L M A G A Z I N E
E N R I C H M E N T Arizona
St. Johns Unified School District is proud to be participating in Wellness Wednesdays serving healthy foods & promoting nutrition education.
Teaching Kids the Importance of Nutrition Education. Vitamin K
Potassium
C
Vitamin
Broccoli
Broccoli is a vegetable related to cabbage, kale, cauliflower & others.
2
1. Sprouting
2. Heading
Pronounced · fr· uhs
Broccoli
The word broccoli means “the flowering top of a cabbage. ”
Broccoli is a part of the brassica family.
Broccoli grows during the
Vitamin K
2 main forms of vitamin K: K1 and K2.
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble which means…
The body has the ability to create vitamin K on its own.
Vitamin K helps the body heal from wounds.
It absorbs better into the body when eaten with foods with some fat like olive oil or avocados
Vitamin K helps produce proteins bind themselves to calcium - this helps build strong bones
Vitamin K supports heart health.
Vitamin K is found throughout the body in the liver, brain, heart, pancreas & bones.
Vitamin K plays a role in proper blood function- specifically with clotting.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are technically fruits since they & contain seeds.
There are
cucumbers.
of cucumbers seeds.
World Cucumber Day is June 14th!
Cucumbers grow on
1 vine can produce 25 - 125 cucumbers.
Potassium
Potassium supports balancing fluid & proper function of the muscles
Once potassium enters the body, it functions as an electrolyte
Helps to keep the body hydrated!
Potassium is THIRD most abundant mineral in the body.
Electrolytes help amount of water in the body.
FUN FACT:
The body is made up of approximately 60% water.
Potassium helps promote bone health.
Potassium helps to regulate muscle contractions.
98% of the body’s potassium is found it its cells.
Many runners eat foods high in potassium before a run to prevent muscle cramps
Potatoes
Potatoes are a starchy vegetable - specifically, a tuber.
U.S. farmers produce around 4.5 million pounds of potatoes every hour.
35% of potatoes are turned into French fries.
Tubers are vegetables that grow underground at the base of the root.
In 1995, potatoes became the first vegetable grown in
Potatoes are also referred to as “spuds.”
AUGUST 13
National Potato Day
Potatoes are grown in all 50 states.
Potatoes are an annual plant.
Potatoes are the 2nd most consumed food in the U.S. after dairy products.
Potatoes are a part of the nightshade family.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant & supports the immune system.
Antioxidants help protect against damage caused by exposure to harmful substances in the environment. These harmful substances are called free radicals.
Vitamin E was discovered in 1922.
Vitamin E is a group of 8 essential vitamins.
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.
Examples of healthy fats include olive oil, avocados & eggs.
Vitamin E strengthens the immune system.
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers are technically fruits - they are grown from a flower & contain seeds.
Bell peppers can be 2 to 6 inches long.
Bell peppers are in the same family as tomatoes, eggplant, and potatoes.
Capsaicin is the chemical that makes other peppers
The bell pepper is the ONLY member of the pepper family that does not produce
Red bell peppers are also known as sweet peppers.
long they ripen.
Bell peppers get sweeter the longer they ripen.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C supports the the body’s defense against infections.
ENERGY booster!
Vitamin C is also referred to as “ascorbic acid.”
Vitamin C helps keep you happy & healthy!
Vitamin C is an antioxidant.
Antioxidants help protect against damage caused by exposure to harmful substances in the environment.
The body cannot make vitamin C on its own - it has to come from food.
What do you call a vitamin that improves your eyesight?
A Vitamin C!
Vitamin C is a very important vitamin for healthy gums & teeth.
Milk
Milk is a type of dairy product –most commonly made from cows.
1 serving milk contains
13 essential nutrients
1. Ayrshire
2. Brown Swiss
3. Guernsey
4. Holstein
5. Jersey
1 cow produces around 6 gallons of milk/day.
Milking Shorthorn
Holstein cows all have a unique pattern of spots!
The reason milk is white is because it contains “casein”
- a type of protein.
The U.S. produces ~227 BILLION pounds of milk each year.
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
99% of the body’s calcium is stored in the bones.
Calcium also supports 1% is found in the blood, muscles & other tissues.
Calcium helps form bones and teeth and keep them healthy.
Calcium helps to heal cuts & wounds.
Calcium is the MOST abundant mineral in the human body.
