Nutrition News          

Hartford Public Schools
Department of Food Services
and Nutrition Education

Vol. VII, Issue I, 1999-2000

Department Review

 The Food Services and Nutrition Education Department successfully completed a state review of our program last year. For the first time, our department provided meals for all the children in the Student Power Summer School program. Continuing for a second year , each student in the Hartford Public Schools will receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. Last year, our department began providing snacks at no cost in many after school programs

 Hartford's school meals are super. First of all, it is difficult to beat the National School Meals Program in terms of variety, food safety, cost, and overall good nutrition. The Food Service and Nutrition Education staff know that healthy eating and good nutrition feed successful learning. Studies show that school meals, breakfast and lunch, impacts student performance, behavior and overall cognitive development (Tufts University, 1998) . School breakfast improved the attendance, grades, behavior and emotional adjustment of children (Harvard University , 1998). In a three year pilot study of universal breakfast in Minnesota (1997) those who ate breakfast had improved math and reading scores, plus there was better attendance and fewer trips to the school nurse. Encourage all students to come for  a breakfast before school begins at no charge. They can't learn, if they are hungry.
 
 

 Last year, 22 elementary schools switched from whole milk (4 % fat) to low fat (1 % fat) milk for the breakfast program and the students adjusted to the lower fat milk quickly. The students who drink low fat milk at breakfast attend Barnard Brown, Betances, Burns, Burr, Clark, Dwight, Dwight Annex, Fisher, M.D. Fox, Kinsella, Milner, Moylan, Naylor, Parkville, Rawson, Sanchez, SAND, Twain, Waverly, Webster, West Middle and Wish. This year we will continue to encourage the use of reduced fat milk products consumed by students and staff in Hartford because a diet lower in fat reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, and obesity.

Eating in Perpetual Motion

One of the shifts in American society that may have had a big impact on our collective weight is the acceptance of eating in public places. Half of the food ordered at fast food restaurants is now through the drive-up window. That is why so many cars are littered with fast food wrappers and unused ketchup packets.
 

Eating on the run is not conducive to proper portion control or digestion. These snacks which are not planned, often represent excess calories which contributes to an overweight society.

For a healthy diet while dining out, request the following items::

• sauces and salad dressing should be served on the side and used sparingly
• ask for half portions ( and take home half)
• use salsa or mustard instead of mayonnaise or oil
• non fat or low fat milk should be used instead of whole milk or cream
• order baked, grilled or broiled lean meats, poultry or fish
• select salads, baked potatoes or vegetables instead of french fries
• order fresh fruits for dessert

Did you know....

• milk does not cause constipation. Eating high fiber foods and drinking plenty of water might ease the symptoms.

 
• brown eggs are no better than white eggs. The color of the shell has no relation to an egg's nutritional value. Varying from white to deep brown, shell color depends on the breed of the hen.

 
• nutrition education classes can be scheduled by calling Susan Davis- (860) 297-8490