Eat Healthy
A Healthier Generation Through Smart Snacks in Schools
Ed Note: This is a cross post from the blog of usda.gov. You can find the original post here.
Today, USDA is furthering its commitment to improving the way that our youngsters eat by establishing science-based, common-sense standards for snacks sold in schools. The new “Smart Snacks in School” nutrition standards will positively impact more than 50 million American youngsters by ensuring that they are offered only healthier foods at school.
Nourishing a Healthier Future in Provo, Utah
The Provo, Utah, school meals team has a theme every year and builds their menus and activities around it. This year’s theme is “Nourishing Your Child’s Future.”
Our school district has been serving fresh fruit and vegetables for years, so adjusting to the new guidelines was easy. Cooking more from scratch meant more labor, but it’s worth it to get healthier food served to the kids. I also buy fresh, local produce and while insisting on fresh produce can mean more effort, higher costs, and more labor in preparation, the rewards far outweigh the work.
It can be a hunt but it’s worth it. In fact, sourcing fruits and vegetables from within Utah is a priority. There’s nothing better than that fresh squash from a local farm or that ripe Utah peach or apple fresh off the tree straight to your cafeteria.
Using Creativity and Technology To Promote Nutritious Meals in Kansas
Most of us have heard the phrase, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Camera phones, YouTube, and dozens of photo-related apps would seem to support this adage, and I happen to agree as well. That's why I combine nutrition expertise and technology to teach K – 12 students about nutrition and the new school meals.
2013 Kids' State Dinner Winners Announced
Some of America’s most creative junior chefs put their talents to the test and whipped up over 1,300 delicious lunchtime recipes as part of the second annual Healthy Lunchtime Challenge. The competition was steep, but a panel of judges selected one winning recipe from each U.S. state and three of the U.S. territories.
Indiana Fever Brings On The Heat: WNBA Champions Host Let’s Move! Basketball Clinic
Last week, President Obama welcomed WNBA Champion Indiana Fever to the White House to honor the team and congratulate them on their victory. Following the formal event with the President, Indiana Fever players led a Let’s Move! basketball clinic on the South Lawn with forty children from a nearby YMCA program. This visit continued the tradition begun by President Obama of honoring sports teams for their efforts to give back to communities as part of their trip to Washington.
Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Bok Choy, Oh My! Tips for Celebrating National Eat Your Vegetables Day
Today is National Eat Your Vegetables Day and that means that it’s time to veg out. No, not on your couch—in your kitchen!
Vegetables give your body the nutrients you need to be healthy and strong. Not only that, but they taste delicious and can be prepared in many different ways. Whether they are raw or cooked; fresh, frozen, canned, or dried/dehydrated; or whole, cut-up, or mashed, it’s incredibly easy to incorporate vegetables into snacks and at mealtime. Here are some tips for enjoying veggies at their best:
A Michelle Obama Favorite
This week marks the second anniversary of USDA’s MyPlate, the food icon that reminds us to build a healthy plate with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and fat-free or low-fat dairy at every meal. MyPlate and its partners have been celebrating My Plate’s Birthday all week and today, First Lady Michelle Obama joined in the fun, pulling together some of her favorite MyPlate-inspired dishes to be featured on the My Plate Recipes Pinterest board.
First Lady Michelle Obama choose dishes that are tasty, easy to make, and nutritious. Dishes include dinner entrees to salads to refreshing desserts. Check them out and tell us what you like best with the hashtag #MyPlateBirthday.
WATCH: Let's Move! with the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens
To become a champion, it is important to be active, stay fit, and eat healthy. Today we caught up with members of the Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens who were at the White House to celebrate their Super Bowl win earlier this year and asked them to share their favorite off-season workouts, summertime healthy foods and why it's important to stay fit and be active. Check out what they had to say below:
Get Out, Get Active, Eat Healthy!
This morning on the National Mall, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis, and Let’s Move! Executive Director Sam Kass joined executives and chefs of major concessioners to announce that visitors will have additional choices for purchasing healthy, nutritious food at national parks across the country.
“Our national parks are renowned around the world for their breathtaking landscapes and important cultural and historical sites,” Secretary Jewell said. “Today, as part of the administration’s efforts to promote healthier choices, we are adding yet another reason to visit our national parks and increasing the number of healthy food options available to visitors at parks from coast to coast.”
Through the Healthy Parks, Healthy People initiative, Director Jarvis issued healthy food standards and sustainable food guidelines that will increase the number of menu items available at more than 250 food and beverage operations in national parks.
MyPlate Turns 2!
Time flies when you are eating healthy! June 2nd marks the second anniversary of MyPlate, the food icon that reminds us to build a healthy plate with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and fat-free or low-fat dairy at every meal. MyPlate is one of the easiest ways to learn about healthy eating. It's a friendly image for parents and kids to look at and recognize how to pile up their own plate. As First Lady Michelle Obama says:
