Monday, June 14, 2010

Make it 3-a-day for healthy kids!

It's oftentimes not easy to get kids to eat the things they should. But good nutrition is vital for healthy kids. As we continue our celebration of National Dairy Month, we want to share some great ideas for helping your kids get their "3-a-day" of dairy. These ideas come to us from our friends at the National Dairy Council and the NFL's Play 60 program.  For more information on the Fuel Up to Play 60 program and downloadable copies of their great educational resources, be sure to visit their website. The National Dairy Council also has tons of other great learning resources and lesson plans, so be sure to check those out if you teach at home or share them with any teachers you know, too.

Children’s bones are like bank accounts. They’re depositing calcium now for later in life. By age 20, the average young person has acquired about 98 percent of his or her skeletal mass. Getting adequate calcium and plenty of physical activity now can be the best defense against osteoporosis later in life. Among school-age children, only four out of 10 boys and three out of 10 girls get the calcium they need each day. Consuming at least three – ideally four for 9 through 18 year olds – servings of milk, cheese or yogurt, gets students on track for turning these statistics around. A nutritious diet that includes at least 3-Every-DayTM of Dairy and plenty of physical activity helps children build the strongest bones possible. Dairy foods provide calcium and eight other essential nutrients, including protein, potassium, phosphorus, vitamins A, D and B12, riboflavin, and niacin to help keep bones strong and bodies fit. (From 3-Every-Day of Dairy for Stronger Bones, Grade 4 classroom activity)

1) Make your own pizza bar! There are great resources for schools online at the Fuel Up for 60 site mentioned above, but you can do this for dinner in your own home, too! Just use the extra large refrigerated biscuits and roll them out to make individual, kid-sized pizza crusts. They make a great snack, or let each person make several for a meal. Offer plenty of healthy topics for kids to pick from, including a variety of low-fat or fat-free cheeses, jalepenos, black olives, hot sauce, peppers, fresh tomoatoes, pineapple, cooked chicket, etc. You get the idea. And what kid doesn't like pizza? You can also make a pizza with low-fat or fat-free cheese for breakfast! You'll be a meal-time superstar!

2) Have a potato bar! Potatoes are always a hit with kids, so offer them along witha  variety of low-fat and fat-free cheses, broccoli, chives, nuts, low-fat or fat-free plain yogurt mixed with spices, etc. The sky (and your immagination) are the limit here! Even Martha Stewart gets in on the family potato bar action (the pic above links you back to her take on it).

3) Take it up a notch with a tasty taco bar! Offer the kids lettuce, tomato, low-fat and fat-free cheses, hot sauce, salsa, low-fat sour cream, jalepenos, etc. Again, be creative! It's gotta be a hit..even Rachel Ray recommends it! (Click the picture above to be linked back to her recipe and instructions.)

4) Yowsers! Yogurt! It doesn't get much simpler than a yogurt bar...just set out a few flavors of low-fat and fat-free yogurt with toppings like fruit, whole-grain granola, buts, raisins, etc. Or, if you're looking to cool down and beat the heat, how about making your own frozen yogurt? Those cute little mini-Danonino yogurt cups are perfect: just stick a popsicle stick through the lid and freeze...that's it! Click the picture above to link to more Danonino recipes and ideas.

There you go: four simple and easy ways to get more dairy in your kids' diets.

Be sure to check out the cool online games for kids where they can learn more about the importance of good nutrition and plenty of exercise at Fuel Up to Play 60.

Wanna learn more about modern dairy technology? Check out this piece on how robots are used on one Wayne County, Ohio dairy farm! 
Blessed with Grace Tuesday Tag-Along 

10 comments:

  1. Following you! Thanks for finding my blog :)

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  2. Thanks for following!! I'm following you back!!
    http://blogginmommadrama.blogspot.com

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  3. Great post. Thanks for following Between the Lines. I'm following you back with Twitter because GFC hasn't let me sign in with my blog for a few days.

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  4. Following you! Awesome post!

    Jennifer @ http://coplingshobbithole.blogspot.com/

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  5. Following you via FMBT. Pls follow me back @ http://masalabowl.blogspot.com/

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  6. These are some really great ideas! I'm visiting from Follow Me Back Tuesday. I signed up to be a new follower.

    http://www.onemomscorneroftheworld.com

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  7. I know I already follow your blog but I was just stoppin' by from TTA to say thanks for linking up to the party. I was really surprised to be the hostess today, I hope you found lots of new blogs and followers. Happy blogging!!!!

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  8. Ooh that pizza makes me hungry!!

    New follower, great blog! Come visit me at

    http://bethscoupondeals.blogspot.com/

    and

    http://helpingunitefatherandson.blogspot.com/

    HAPPY TUESDAY!!

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  9. That's a great idea. We don't do enough nutritional things at home, but we really should. I am going to take those ideas and use them in my own home. :)

    Following (better late than never) for Tuesday Tag Along. :) I hope you decide to come and follow me back. :) I currently have a $25 Walmart gift card giveaway going on!

    http://theartsymom.tk

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  10. THanks for visiting and following! I am following you back.

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