National Nutrition Month

Celebrated in March, nutrition month stresses the importance of a balanced diet and exercise. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics promotes the transformative powers of healthy food choices.

Yes! Chefs for Kids has been promoting healthy eating and the benefits of physical movement for more than 30 years.

Each year, nutrition educators visit third graders in Title I schools once a month for 40 minutes to deliver the Produce Pick of the Month curriculum where students learn about the benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

For March, bell peppers sailed into the classroom, and kids not only tasted this fruit, but learned bell peppers are low in calories and high in nutrients. A one-cup serving of chopped green bell pepper contains 120 mg of vitamin C.

Bell Pepper Sailboats

1. Cut the mini bell pepper in half, carefully removing the membranes and seeds but leaving the stem intact.
2. Fill with hummus or any filling you desire.
3. Slice a piece of cheese diagonally and set in hummus.
4. Let sit in the fridge for 5 minutes to set up before serving.

Students get a chance to move a little in class too. In February they learned about aerobic exercise and danced along to a hip-hop dance song called, Pack It Up.

Bright greens from crunchy vegetables or vibrant reds from tangy fruit will not only make your meal Instagram-worthy, they’ll give you a healthy boost.

It’s all about balance. Check out this toolkit with tip sheets and handouts, games and activities, and more to activate a healthy lifestyle balance.