Let’s Eat Well Together!
My two adult children still talk about the fun and great conversation we used to have around the supper table together. We were all running in different directions, but we made a real effort to eat together at night if at all possible.
Children today still need this bonding with parents and face-to-face conversation. It also can help to teach children how to eat healthy foods and portions. We can all benefit from that. Here are a few other tips to help children develop healthy:
- Do not skip meals. Skipping meals just slows down metabolism, so you burn fewer calories. It also usually leads to over-eating later.
- Make a plan. Develop menus and shopping lists so that you have healthy choices on hand.
- Allow your children to help. Have them make some decisions, like which vegetable to have or the type of dressing for the salad.
- Eat a balance diet, with plenty of plant foods. On a typical dinner plate, more than ½ of the plate should be covered with fruits and vegetables. We do not need large portions of meat. Remember, other protein sources are nuts, beans, seeds, or lentils.
- Provide healthy snacks. Growing children need snacks, so make good choices available. Choose fruits, nuts, seeds, peanut butter, popcorn, and high fiber snack bars that are not overloaded with fats or sugars.
- Encourage your family to drink plenty of water and low-fat milk. Limit sweetened drinks with lots of empty calories. Let’s make the calories we take in do something good for our bodies!
We are always available for questions or help with the Meal Application for Free or Reduced Price meals. Please fill this out and send it to us here at Operations, 118 Chapel Heights Road, Sewell, NJ 08080. You may fill this out at any time during the year if circumstances change. We want to be sure that every child eats breakfast and lunch.
Please take advantage of the service and convenience we offer. We offer many choices at lunch and all meals are prepared and served in a sanitary environment. Our food service employees are trained in Food Safety and Sanitation. We are happy to serve all students and staff members the healthy foods needed to grow and learn.
We thank you for your support. |