Waterbury Public Schools’ Nutrition Services department is proud to be participating in Wellness Wednesdays serving healthy foods & celebrating nutrition education during National Nutrition Month!
Waterbury Public Schools’ Wellness Policy
Oranges are a type of citrus fruit them grown in the U.S. from
Popular Types of Oranges:
1. Navel
2. Hamlin
3. Valencia
600+ varieties of oranges.
Orange season is 9 months long… October - June!
oranges are juiced.
Sub-tropical areas have ideal climate for growing oranges.
Most oranges are harvested by hand.
Vitamin C supports the immune systemthe body’s defense against infections.
Vitamin C is also referred to as “ascorbic acid.”
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.
Vitamin C helps keep you happy & healthy! What do you call a vitamin that improves your eyesight?
Vitamin C is a very important vitamin for healthy gums & teeth.
Strawberries are a type of aggregate fruit a collection of ‘little fruits’ held together.
Strawberries are a part of the rose family.
Strawberries are the FIRST fruit to ripen in the spring.
Peak strawberry harvesting season is April - June.
1. June-bearing 2. Ever-bearing 3. Day-neutral strawberry has 200 seeds.
Strawberries are the ONLY fruit with seeds on the outside.
90% of the strawberries grown in the U.S. are from California.
Manganese supports the body’s energy levels & protecting its cells from damage.
. Foods like strawberries absorb minerals through their roots.
Manganese is
Manganese helps
helps the body blood clots helping wounds heal faster! against infections.
Most apples are harvested & sold fresh.
Apples are one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits. The U.S. is home to approximately 322,000 acres of apple orchards. of the Most Popular Varieties of Apples:
apples make 1 gallon of cider.
varieties of apples are grown in the U.S.
2,500+ 21% of apples are juiced.
An apple blossom is the flower that comes from an apple tree.
An apple tree takes at least 4 years to start producing fruit.
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 from
Insoluble fiber is sometimes referred to as “roughage. ”
2 types of fiber:
1. Soluble fiber
Insoluble fiber
Fiber is ONLY found in plant foods.
Dairy & meat products do not have any fiber.
Fiber helps to regulate the body’s use of sugar.
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.
Bananas are a type of tropical fruit - classified specifically as a berry.
Bananas grow in hanging bunches called
popular type of banana is the Cavendish banana.
Bananas change color from green to yellow as they ripen. Did you know monkeys peel bananas upside down? It’s easier & less damaging
continue to ripen after they are harvested.
100+ BILLION bananas are eaten around the world each year.
Banana plants can grow to be up to 30 feet tall.
Potassium supports balancing fluid in the body & proper function of the muscles and nerves
Once potassium enters the body, it functions as an electrolyte.
Electrolytes help balance the amount of water in the body.
Helps to keep the body
The body is made 60%
Potassium is the THIRD most abundant mineral in the body.
Potassium helps to regulate the
Potassium helps promote bone health.
98% of the body’s potassium is found in its cells.
Many runners eat foods high in potassium like before a run to prevent muscle cramps. Potassium helps regulate contractions.
Milk is a type of dairy product –most commonly made from cows. essential nutrients
Milk is made up of 85-95% water with the rest being fats, proteins, carbohydrates & vitamins
Breeds of Dairy Cows: 6
1. Ayrshire
2. Brown Swiss
3. Guernsey
4. Holstein
5. Jersey
6. Milking Shorthorn
Holstein cows all have a unique pattern of spots!
1 cow produces around 6 gallons of milk per day. Cows can SEE almost 360 degrees and SMELL up to 6 miles away!
dairy farms!
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
blocks.
Protein plays a big role in building and repairing muscles.
Protein is a MACRONUTRIENT . A macronutrient is a nutrient that the body needs in LARGE
Protein helps maintain fluid balance throughout the body.
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