Nutrition News 
Hartford Public Schools Department of Food Services
and Nutrition Education
Vol. VII, Issue IV, 1999-2000

Multi- Cultural Month

Expand your taste knowledge by joining our department in the celebration of Multi-Cultural Month. Our diverse fare includes meals with Puerto Rican, West Indian, Mexican, African American, and Asian flares.

During the month of May, our department will be celebrating Sports Nutrition Week to emphasize healthy eating and promote physical activities.

Congratulations to Wish Elementary School for the greatest increase in school breakfast participation this school year. Fox Middle School had the greatest Middle School participation. Other winning schools were Kennelly, McDonough, and Mark Twain. M.D. Fox won the first Golden Muffin Creativity Award which encouraged children to come to breakfast.

Promoting healthy snacking is an important part of forming good lifelong eating habits. Students should be encouraged to pick foods that are nutritionally dense rather than candy bars and soda. Snacks need not be complicated, they can be as simple as a piece of fruit with a glass of milk. Let your students see you making healthy selections and they will learn to do the same.

With the increasingly beautiful weather, we are spending more time outdoors. Children are naturally curious and may pick wild flowers, but how do you know which are poisonous and which are not? More importantly, which can be potentially harmful if eaten? Here is a list of several harmful plants:

• Buttercup, Cat's Tail, Daffodil, Daisy, Lady's Slipper, Morning Glory, Nightshade, Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, & Wisteria

Organizing a food drive is an effective way for children to develop personal pride while helping others. There is always a need for food assistance and there are many organizations that want your help. For a list of local food banks, contact Foodshare at (860) 688-6500 or at P.O. Box 809, Windsor, CT 06095.

Protein eaten can be used to develop muscles when combined with regular exercise, especially weight training. The actual protein itself does not build muscles, it is the combination of diet and exercise. If you eat more protein and exercise less, then the excess protein will be stored as fat.

The saying that "more is better" does not apply with many vitamins and minerals. A large dose of vitamin A, for example, is toxic and can lead to death. A multivitamin is acceptable when combined with a healthy, balanced diet, but be sure to take the recommended dose.

Fad diets promote unhealthy and unrealistic eating habits. Is it really feasible to think that you could eat only protein and fat with a limited amount of carbohydrates for an extended period of time? Definitely not. Your best bet for weight loss is a positive lifestyle change. A healthy, balanced diet that includes all of the nutrients in combination with regular exercise can improve your weight and your well being.

Encourage children to try a new food every week-they may find that it is something they enjoy!