National School Lunch Week October 11 – 15, 2010

"In the long view, no nation is healthier than its children,
or more prosperous than its farmers." - President Harry Truman,
on signing the 1946 National School Lunch Act.

Through the Years

The National School Lunch Program was created in 1946 when President Truman signed the National School Lunch Act into law. The National School Lunch Program is a federal nutrition assistance program. Through the years, the program has expanded to include the School Breakfast Program, Snack Program, Child and Adult Care Feeding Program and the Summer Food Service Program. In 1962, Congress designated the week beginning on the second Sunday in October each year as "National School Lunch Week."

The video below looks at the school lunch program from the late 1930’s to the present day. One can see from the photographs some of the changes in the foods provided. There is an increase in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein and lowfat dairy. (Part of the video has clips from a film produced by the USDA in the mid-60s.)

President Obama stated, "The National School Lunch Program will once again become a national priority. Good nutrition at school is more vital than ever, in light of the increased number of children in the US who are obese or overweight.”

Chefs across America are getting involved by creating more nutritious and appealing school meals. "Chefs Move to Schools," is a partnership linking chefs with schools in their communities and has more than 1,900 volunteers creating wholesome meals while teaching students about nutrition and healthy food choices.

USDA is creating a network with local farmers, States, localities, tribal authorities, school districts and community organizations to provide more fruits, vegetables, and other fresh and nutritious foods for school meals.

School Nutrition Association (SNA)

Overview. Recognized as the authority on school nutrition, the SNA has been advancing the availability, quality and acceptance of school nutrition programs as an integral part of education since 1946. The School Nutrition Association is a national, nonprofit professional organization.

Mission. To advance good nutrition for all children.

Vision. Healthful meals and nutrition education are available to all children.

The SNA works to ensure all children have access to healthful school meals and nutrition education by:
*Providing members with education and training
*Setting standards through certification and credentialing
*Gathering and transmitting regulatory, legislative, industry, nutritional and other types of information related to school nutrition.
*Representing the nutritional interests of all children.

SNA has launched a new campaign called Tray Talk. The site is designed to emphasize the benefits of school meals and showcase success stories from school nutrition programs nationwide.

http://www.traytalk.org/ - Learn about School Meals, Share your Ideas
Brought to you by the School Nutrition Association

Salad Bar in Every School on WJLA-TV
United Fresh Foundation places salad bars in schools for better child nutrition. WJLA TV in Washington profiles the impact on one area school.

Priceless: School Lunch

"Priceless" launched the One Tray campaign depicting the cafeteria tray as the conduit for a reformed school food system that supports healthy children, local farms, and smart schools. The video was created by three IATP Food and Society Fellows, Shalini Kantayya, Nicole Betancourt, and Debra Eschmeyer to raise awareness for the Child Nutrition Act.

Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture stated “National School Lunch Week reminds us how important it is that our children be healthy and active, that they not go hungry, and that they have access to nutritious meals." 

Nadine Fisher, MS, RD, LD Registered Dietitian & Nutrition Expert

Website.  Nutrition Networks

Website. Nadine Fisher  

Blog. Nutrition Networks: Social Media & Business Technology

LinkedIn. Nadine Fisher

Twitter. @nadinekf

Facebook.  SocialRd (Moderated by: Nadine Fisher and Rebecca Scritchfield)

"The beauty of the internet is that it doesn't matter where you are physically,
because you are virtually everywhere."
- Nadine Fisher”

Nadine Fisher is a Registered Dietitian, who is a Pioneer of Social Media and Internet Strategies within the dietetic and nutrition profession.

Nadine is the CEO at Nutrition Networks. Nutrition Networks is a Virtual Web Solutions firm established in 2003. The company provides numerous business technology and web development Internet services, including:

   Domain Name Registration
   Email Account Set Up

   Graphic Design

   Screen casting for Recorded or Live Content

   Training on All Services Provided

   Website Maintenance and Hosting

   Website Remix AKA Re-Design or Makeover

   Web Marketing Strategy and Site Development

   Website Updates and Management

Under resources, you can find free downloads to enhance your Internet experience and interactive tools to make your site sticky.

For more information about Nutrition Network download the website planning questionnaire and return it for an estimate on your project. Click here for the questionnaire and company brochure.

Nadine is a member of the American Dietetic Association and a past chairperson of Nutrition Entrepreneurs, a Dietetic Practice Group of the American Dietetic Association. She is a remarkable person and a dedicated professional.

Nadine has opened the doors to the World Wide Web for many dietitians and other health care professionals. She helped develop a new area of specialty for the Dietitian:  as a Web Developer, Social Media Advisor and Internet Strategist.

 

Eve Kecskes, MS, RD Registered Dietitian & Nutrition Expert

Website. Nutrition by Eve

Blog. Nutrition by Eve

LinkedIn. Eve Kecskes

Facebook. Nutrition by Eve

Twitter. @NutritionbyEve

“My philosophy is simple: a healthy lifestyle is a combination of balance and moderation. There is no need to eliminate entire food groups from your diet. You can eat what you love and achieve a healthy weight. By modifying your current lifestyle and eating habits you will be able to achieve your personal goals.”  - Eve Kecskes, MS, RD

Eve Kecskes (formerly Salik) MS, RD is the president of Nutrition by Eve, LLC, a private nutrition practice located in Manhattan. She is a Registered Dietitian (RD) with the American Dietetic Association. Eve uses an individualized approach based on lifestyle, eating habits and nutritional goals to achieve optimal health and well being.

Specialties Include:
    - General Wellness
    - Disease Prevention
    - Pre- and Post-natal Nutrition
    - Sports Nutrition
    - Cardiovascular Disease
    - Hypertension
    - Diabetes
    - Eating Disorders
    - Emotional Eating
    - Gastrointestinal Disorders
    - Pediatric and Adolescent Nutrition

Eve received her RD after completing an internship at Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan and received her Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics from New York University. Prior to her graduate studies she attended the Olin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis. She is on the board of the Nutrition Entrepreneurs Dietetic Practice Group as well as a member of the Women's Health Dietetic Practice and Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Groups.

Services
   - One on One Counseling

   - Metabolism Testing

   - Email Counseling

   - Supermarket Tours

   - Recipe Analysis/Modification

   - Menu Development

   - Kitchen Makeovers

   - Corporate Seminars

   - Lunch and Learn

Eve maintains an active blog with advise on general nutrition, breastfeeding and includes creative and healthy recipes.

October 3, 2010 Intergeneration Day

From our past we carry the love, inspiration and tradition of our ancestors. The future holds promise and hope as a new generation emerges. They carry the strength of the past and the courage and commitment to make the world a better place.

Generations United is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening connections between young and old through policies, programs and education. 

Recently Generated United held a photo contest. Here are the winners of the 2010 Photo Contest "Because We're Stronger Together". The photos represent multigenerations from all over the world.

Creating New Traditions

President Obama prepares lunch for his wife Michelle and their two daughters Malia and Sasha. The president brings to the table a rich background in culture. Born to a Kenyan father and an American mother, he spent most of his early life in Honolulu, Hawaii. From ages six to ten, he lived in Jakarta with his mother and Indonesian stepfather. I'm not sure tuna is a tradition from his parents or grandparents, put he is passing this tradition down to his children.

Cooking With Kids: Tutti-Frutti Salad

Inspired by the reality of Childhood eating disorders and the lack of time families spend in the kitchen together, "Cooking With Kids" television segments were designed to motivate parents and children to cook healthy, nutritious meals together. Narrated by Michelle Weinbender, RD.

How to Get Your Kids Involved
in the Cooking Process

October 2010 Wellness News

Wellness News is your resource for current Health, Nutrition and Food topics and events. Subjects encourage awareness and inspire ideas for Journalists, Educators, Consumers and Health Professionals. 
 

October Monthly Events
Weekly and Daily Events can be found in the Wellness Newsletter.

 October Highlights

National Breast Cancer Awareness

Disability Employment Awareness

World Blindness Awareness
Children's Magazine Month
Christmas Seal Campaign
Dyslexia Awareness
Energy Management is a Family Affair
Global Diversity Awareness
Head Start Awareness
Chiropractic Month
Depression Education & Awareness
Domestic Violence Awareness
National Down Syndrome

National Liver Awareness
National Medical Librarians
National Orthodontic Health
National Physical Therapy
National Spina Bifida Awareness
Positive Attitude
Domestic Violence Awareness
National Crime Prevention
National Cyber Security

Halloween Safety
National Apple Month
Caffeine Addition Recovery Month
Celiac Disease Awareness
Co-op Awareness

Eat Better, Eat Together

Go Hog Wild Eat Country Ham
Health Literacy Month
Long Term Care Planning Month
National Animal Safety and Protection Month
National Bake and Decorate Month
National Caramel Month
National Chili Month
National Cookbook Month
National Dental Hygiene Month
National Popcorn Poppin' Month
National Pork Month
National Pretzel Month

National Seafood Month
Sausage Month
Spinach Lovers Month

Tackling Hunger Month
Vegetarian Month
Adopt A Shelter Dog Month
National Go On A Field Trip Month
Nutrition, Health & Wellness Field Trips
National Work and Family Month

Childhood Obesity Awareness The Breakfast Connection

Children are our future. As adults, parents, educators and health professionals it is our responsibility to teach children about healthy food choices, benefits of physical activities and building self-esteem. 

On September 1, 2010 President Obama declared September "National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month".

President Obama stated, "One of the greatest responsibilities we have as a Nation is to safeguard the health and well-being of our children. We now face a national childhood obesity crisis, with nearly one in every three of America's children being overweight or obese. There are concrete steps we can take right away as concerned parents, caregivers, educators, loved ones, and a Nation to ensure that our children are able to live full and active lives. During National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, I urge all Americans to take action to meet our national goal of solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation."

Obesity has a profound effect on a child's life. Health problems related to childhood obesity include the following:

  Asthma

  Diabetes, type 2

  High blood pressure

  High cholesterol

  Heart failure

  Bone and joint problems in the lower body

  Growth abnormalities

  Emotional and social problems

  Poor self-esteem

  Victims of Bullying

  Breathing problems

  Rashes or fungal infections of the skin

Children who are overweight or obese are more likely to become an obese adult with health problems in adulthood, such as:

  Heart disease

  Stroke

  Certain types of cancer

  Osteoarthritis

  Gout

  Gallbladder disease

Breakfast and Child Obesity

    *Children who skip breakfast are more likely to be overweight.
    *Children who skip breakfast feel tired or lack energy.
    *Children who skip breakfast may have problems concentrating.
    *Children who skip breakfast may have lower grades in school.
    *Children who skip breakfast may have learning and behavioral problems.
    *Children who skip breakfast may develop nutritional deficiencies.

Children who eat breakfast are
Alert, Energized and Ready for a Brand New Day.

September 29, 2010 National Women's Health and Fitness Day

National Women's Health and Fitness Day is the nation’s largest annual health promotion event for women of all ages. The next event is set for Wednesday, September 29, 2010, and in future years, will always be held on the last Wednesday in September.

This unique national program — with participation by local organizations throughout the U.S. — focuses attention on the importance of regular physical activity and health awareness for women.

Women’s Health and Fitness Day will also be part of a new National Women’s Health and Fitness Week, to be held annually the last week in September. On Wednesday, September 29, 2010, more than 1,400 groups across the country will host women’s health and fitness events at senior centers, hospitals, health clubs, park and recreation districts, local health and service organizations, schools, retirement communities, houses of worship, and other community locations. An estimated 40,000 to 100,000 women are expected to participate in these local activities.

Family Dinner Day The Rewards are Amazing. Make the Time

Family meal time is an ageless tradition shared by people all around the world. Eating dinner together keeps the doors of communication open. It's a perfect time to show your children they are your priority. Studies have shown children who eat dinner with their families are less likely to use alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs and more likely to develop good eating habits.
 

Why Eat Together As A Family?




Family Dinner
Segment from World Report, April 2009

A recent family study conducted by Brigham Young University, quizzed more than 1500 IBM employees. The results show that families who spend time eating dinner together will encounter less conflict between family and work.

The BYU study appeared in issues of Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report and Slate magazine. Dr. Jacob expressed the hope for society to value dinner time, and not allow things to interrupt it.

In fact, a multi-national study cited by the marriage and family therapy program at the University of Minnesota and its director, reports family meal time has a more positive influence on emotional and intellectual development in children and teens than sports or additional time in school.

Quick and Easy Meals to
Bring Families Together at Meal Time



Meet 6 real families taking the
LET'S FIX DINNER Challenge

Meet six families who are struggling to get to the dinner table, but are committed to seeing what having more dinners can do for them. Each family has different goals and struggles, but theyre willing to do what it takes to see just how powerful dinner together can be.

A Date With Your Family
1950s Instructional Video - Somethings have Changed

September 26, 2010 World Heart Day

2010 Theme

"Workplaces Wellness: Take responsibility for your own heart health"

World Heart Day was created to inform people around the globe that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.1 million lives each year, 80% in the developing world.

The World Heart Federation exists to prevent and control these diseases through awareness campaigns and action, promoting the exchange of information, ideas and science among those involved in cardiovascular care, advocating for disease prevention and control by promoting healthy diets, physical activity and tobacco free living at an individual, community and policy maker level. Our work is organized in four programme areas.

     Awareness

     Advocacy

     Applied Research
     Sharing Science & Building Capacity

Visit the World Heart Foundation for more information.

    

September 25, 2010 Family Health and Fitness Day USA

Family Health and Fitness Day USA is a national health and fitness event for families always held the last Saturday in September. This year is the 14th Annual Family Health and Fitness Day USA and is set for Saturday, September 25, 2010.

The event's purpose is to promote the importance of regular physical activity for children and their parents. Families will participate in health promotion events at hundreds of locations throughout the country, including YMCAs and health clubs, park districts, schools, houses of worship and state and local health organizations. 

It's Family Time!

You can jump rope, ride bikes, and take a walk as a family. Remember to be safe by using sunscreen, bike helmets, and staying hydrated.

Registered Dietitian & Nutrition Expert Sarah Earhart, MS, RD, LD, CDE

Assistant Director of Nutrition for the Rite Bite
Website. The Rite Bite

 Blog. The Rite Bite     

Twitter. @TheRiteBite

Facebook. The Rite Bite

LinkedIn. Sarah Earhart

“The family bond is a powerful one when it comes to weight and health.
Increasing nutrition through healthy meals, planning activities for fun
and movement, and supporting one another in your efforts is a family affair.
Take action today and decide on the first change you all will make for better health.”

Sarah is the Assistant Director of Nutrition for the Rite Bite. Since 2003, Sarah Earhart has worked as a Registered Dietitian in the field of worksite wellness. Sarah has a Master of Science degree in Foods and Nutrition and a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Sports Science, both from the University of Utah. She has presented several wellness seminars on topics related to nutrition and weight management. Sarah also enjoys counseling clients in both individual and group settings for a variety of nutrition needs including diabetes education and weight management. Sarah is a Certified Diabetes Educator. Her career goal is to help others make positive behavior changes in their eating and activity in order to help them fully enjoy a healthy life.

The American Dietetic Association Announces the Theme for National Nutrition Month, March 2011.

"Eat Right with Color"

March 2011starts the American Dietetic Association annual National Nutrition Month® Campaign. The theme is "Eat Right with Color".

The American Dietetic Association created National Nutrition Month® as a nutrition education and information campaign to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

The fourth annual Registered Dietitian Day will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 9, 2011. Registered Dietitian Day was created to increase awareness of registered dietitians as the food and nutrition experts and recognizes RDs for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives.

Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Expert Alysa Bajenaru, RD, CPT

Website/Blog. Inspired RD

Facebook. Inspired Results

Twitter. InspiredRD

“It's always a good idea to have a few quick and healthy food items around to whip up when you are short on time. Being prepared can keep you from dialing up the pizza place or heading for the nearest drive-thru ”

Alysa has been working in the health and fitness industry since 2002 as a registered dietitian and personal trainer. Motivating people to get fit and stay healthy is a passion for her. After having her son, she became interested in supporting other moms in their quest to be healthy and active. Alysa believes the key to getting in shape is to have lots of fun and support.

Alysa holds a BS in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Oklahoma. She is a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and a Group Fitness Instructor through the American Council on Exercise (ACE).

Her areas of interest include: Fitness Educator, Group Exercise, Weight Management, Family Nutrition, New Mom Fitness and Nutrition Education. She is a Writer and Blogger. Alysa is also a contributor and instructor for Baby Boot Camp Nutrition Solutions Program.