1. Carbohydrates… and why they aren’t so scary after all!
Taylor Gallagher
Ucm dietetics student
Sda President

2. What is a Carbohydrate? Simple Carbohydrates Complex Carbohydrates
Most basic unit of a carbohydrate
Comes in the form of sugars
Complex Carbohydrates
Comes in the form of starches and fiber
Both forms break down into glucose
Glycogen
Carbohydrates are grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and sugar

3. Function of Carbohydrates
Body’s main source of fuel
Needed for brain function
Provide Energy
Provide the energy of life
Provide energy for proper organ function
Provide energy for daily activity
Spare protein from being burned so it can be used to build and repair
Lower Cholesterol

4. Examples Simple Carbohydrates Complex Carbohydrates Refined Sugar
Fruit
Milk
Complex Carbohydrates
Grain Products
Vegetables
Fiber
Starches
Nuts and legumes
Starches breakdown to simple sugars in the body. (white potato example)
Fiber doesn’t breakdown in the body. Prevents heart disease and diabetes (Lowers cholesterol and glucose)

5. Breakfast Examples Overnight Oats Eggs, toast, & yogurt
Whole grain cereal
Cheerios, Kashi, etc
Yogurt with fruit and granola
Oatmeal and fruit with turkey bacon or sausage
Whole grain waffles or pancakes with fruit

6. Benefits of children eating carbs
 "Cutting back on nutritious carbohydrate-containing foods, such as whole grains, fruits and veggies, can lead to deficiencies for several nutrients, including fiber and a long list of B vitamins," Castle says.
Growing children need more vitamins and minerals than adults from fruit, veggies, and grains because their tissues are still growing. Cutting back on these nutrients will lead to growth and developmental problems.
High quality carbohydrate foods may foster weight control because they are filling for a long period of time.

7. Benefits of children eating breakfast
Breakfast helps to control weight by kick starting the body’s metabolism which starts the process of burning calories.
Studies show that children who eat breakfast have:
Higher reading and math scores
Lower levels of depression, anxiety and hyperactivity
Better school attendance
Improved attention span
and fewer behavior problems

8. Complex Carbs in the Classroom
Dry whole grain cereal such as cheerios in the morning
Snack before tests:
A piece of fruit like an orange or a few grapes.
Whole grain crackers with a nut butter before going to recess

9. Students and The Importance of Physical Activity
A new report from The institute of medicine found that exercise can improve children’s cognitive abilities and their academic performance, as well as their health.

10. Kids and physical activity
Children who exercise have:
Stronger muscles and bones
Leaner body because exercise helps control body fat
Less likely to become overweight
Better able to handle physical and emotional challenges
Will sleep better

11. Incorporating exercise at school
Recess!
Physical stimulation = mental stimulation
Make it a competition: divide the class into teams and ask them questions. When a team gets the answer wrong, have them do 15 jumping jacks.
1. Kids need recess so they can get outside be crazy and get their “sillies” out. Exert the extra energy so they can focus in the classroom
2. If kept inside all day doing work and sitting down students will become bored and will only be able to retain information for so long.

12. Incorporating exercise at school
Sometimes the weather does not permit recess. In this case, take a walk around the building or have a CD with dance music on it so the kids can dance and be silly for a little bit.

13. Thank you for your time! Taylor Gallagher tmg61550@ucmo.edu