Small Changes, Making a Big Fat Difference Dodd ...
Small Changes, Making a Big Fat Difference Dodd Middle School, Freeport, NY “I had no idea how much sugar was in my soda”, After taking this class, I know how to read the food label to calculate how much sugar is in what I eat” and I’m disgusted at knowing how much fat I’ve been eating and plan to eat more fruits and vegetables” are just a handful of quotes from the 7th and 8th grade children at Dodd Middle School during a recent nutrition & obesity prevention series presented by Anum Sheraz and Maria Eugenio, Nutrition Educators with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County.
Focus on Fats & Sugars One 13 year old student shared with the class how every day after school she would stop to get a fast food meal on her way home. Now after learning that she was consuming about 12 teaspoons of fat as displayed in the “Blubber Burger” lesson, she was going straight home to eat something healthier that her mom was preparing, while saving money too. Other lessons included: • ReThink Your Drink to Promote water and decrease sugary beverage consumption • Increasing Fruits and Vegetables • Make Half Your Plate Whole Grains • Low Fat Dairy Choices These classes are very interactive, whereby the students are literally measuring out the teaspoons of sugar into a bottle that correlates to the teaspoons of sugar in the beverage they are typically drinking. Many children shared how they enjoy high sugar beverages like soda, sweetened iced tea, juice drinks and sports beverages. Once the students figured out the actual number of teaspoons of sugar were in their drinks, it was obvious they were very surprised to visually see it. “It was very rewarding to hear the students discussing how they would be choosing healthier beverages after the ReThink Your Drink lesson.”
Steps toward Success: • Sharing “10- tips” for healthy lifestyles • Interactive preparation of healthy snacks and meals • Display of food models depicting salt, fat and sugars • Highlighting and distributing easy and healthy recipes for kids to share and make at home
423 Griffing Ave, Ste 100, Riverhead, NY 11901-3071 • 631-727-7850 • www.ccesuffolk.org USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -- SNAP. SNAP provides nutrition assistance to people with low income. It can help you buy nutritious foods for a better diet. To find out how to check your eligibility for a range of benefits and apply for SNAP, go to myBenefits.ny.gov or call 1-800-342-3009 for more information. Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. Cornell Cooperative Extension is funded in part by Suffolk County through the office of the County Executive and the County Legislature.
Focus on Fats & Sugars One 13 year old student shared with the class how every day after school she would stop to get a fast food meal on her way home. Now after learning that she was consuming about 12 teaspoons of fat as displayed in the “Blubber Burger” lesson, she was going straight home to eat something healthier that her mom was preparing, while saving money too. Other lessons included: • ReThink Your Drink to Promote water and decrease sugary beverage consumption • Increasing Fruits and Vegetables • Make Half Your Plate Whole Grains • Low Fat Dairy Choices These classes are very interactive, whereby the students are literally measuring out the teaspoons of sugar into a bottle that correlates to the teaspoons of sugar in the beverage they are typically drinking. Many children shared how they enjoy high sugar beverages like soda, sweetened iced tea, juice drinks and sports beverages. Once the students figured out the actual number of teaspoons of sugar were in their drinks, it was obvious they were very surprised to visually see it. “It was very rewarding to hear the students discussing how they would be choosing healthier beverages after the ReThink Your Drink lesson.”
Steps toward Success: • Sharing “10- tips” for healthy lifestyles • Interactive preparation of healthy snacks and meals • Display of food models depicting salt, fat and sugars • Highlighting and distributing easy and healthy recipes for kids to share and make at home
423 Griffing Ave, Ste 100, Riverhead, NY 11901-3071 • 631-727-7850 • www.ccesuffolk.org USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. This material was funded by USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -- SNAP. SNAP provides nutrition assistance to people with low income. It can help you buy nutritious foods for a better diet. To find out how to check your eligibility for a range of benefits and apply for SNAP, go to myBenefits.ny.gov or call 1-800-342-3009 for more information. Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. Cornell Cooperative Extension is funded in part by Suffolk County through the office of the County Executive and the County Legislature.
