Teacher: Samar Mahmoud

Life is full of choices, including food and physical activity. The quality of a person’s life depends on decisions that affect the body, mind and inner self.

White vs. Whole Grain?? MyPyramid says to “Make half your grains whole.” Whole grain foods include whole wheat brown bread, brown rice, oatmeal, and popcorn.

Low-fat vs. High Fat The Meat & Beans Group is an important source of protein, which the body uses to build muscles, bones, skin and even blood. The Meat & Beans Group also contains many foods that are high in fat. It is important to choose to eat lower fat foods more often. Compare food labels, and look for words like “lean,” “skinless,” and “low-fat.”

Now is the Time to Develop Healthy Behaviors Now is the Time to Develop Healthy Behaviors. Eating Fruit is a Healthy Choice! Unhealthy Eating Patterns Many children are not regularly exposed to a variety of high quality, well-prepared fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean protein. Too often children’s food options include processed foods that may be appealing, tasty and inexpensive, but offer little nutritional value.

Get Your Calcium Rich Foods! The Milk Group is the best source of calcium-rich foods. Note that not all foods made from dairy products are in MyPyramid’s Milk Group. Dairy foods that are high in fat and low in calcium, like butter, are not included in the Milk Group. Foods that are included in the Milk Group are liquid milk), ice cream, yogurt, cheese, and pudding .Eating the needed number of servings from the Milk Group (2–3), helps students get the calcium their growing bodies need. Calcium helps build strong bones, muscles and teeth. Selecting low-fat foods from the Milk Group is a healthy way to get the calcium you need without adding too much extra fat to your diet.

Lack of Physical Activity In recent years, children have become less active during their after-school hours. They are more likely to spend their free time watching television or using a computer rather than being physically active.

Which would you prefer? It is important to move more and sit less to be healthy.

Empowerment Messages To be healthy, we need to eat from each group and get daily physical activity. Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Eat lower fat foods more often. Get your calcium rich foods. Eat a variety of foods.