Second-graders learn about healthy eating — from the ground up

Published 7:55 pm Tuesday, February 10, 2015

JOHN COTTEN TAYLOE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RIGHT CHOICES: Children at John Cotten Tayloe Elementary School learned about healthy eating and making good food choices this week. Pictured are Andrea Nikolai and Louise Hinsley engaging second-graders in their program.

JOHN COTTEN TAYLOE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
RIGHT CHOICES: Children at John Cotten Tayloe Elementary School learned about healthy eating and making good food choices this week. Pictured are Andrea Nikolai and Louise Hinsley engaging second-graders in their program.

By Andrea Nikolai

Special to the Daily News

 

The 301 second-graders at John Cotten Tayloe had the opportunity to learn about foods that come from plants and tasty ways to eat them.

In an interactive presentation by Louise Hinsley, extension agent and 4-H youth development provider from the Cooperative Extension, and Andrea Nikolai, registered dietitian nutritionist at Washington Pediatrics, the children learned about how to fill their plate with foods that come from plants, why they are healthy for kids to eat and then got to try a plant-based snack of “garlic-bread-tasting” hummus and carrot chips.

“It was fun to see them go from learning about beans and legumes to trying a chickpea and then chickpea-based hummus to see how they could enjoy beans as a snack,” said Nikolai. “I also love how during one of the interactive parts of the presentation, where the kids run in place if they’ve tried the food, the kids got to hear about the enjoyable tastes of some the plant-based foods from their peers. Peers can be a powerful influence in helping kids decide to try new foods.”

Hinsley and Nikolai spent the mornings of the week of Jan. 26-30 in Glenn Crocker’s classroom at John Cotten Tayloe. They did the presentation to each of the three different classes held each morning that week to complete the entire class of approximately 300 second-graders at the school.

Crocker, the physical education and health teacher, said, “The presentation was informative and engaging. My students thoroughly enjoyed learning about ways that they could eat healthier. “

“It was great to see the children excited about helping their parents make choices selecting plant-based foods, such as fruit, vegetables, beans and nuts, in the grocery store,” said Hinsley, who organized the presentations and provided the snacks. “Healthier choices at home mean better options available when choosing foods for meals and snacks.”

The presentation is one from the Kids Eat Right program from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Kids Eat Right is a platform designed to ensure that sound nutrition recommendations are part of childhood obesity prevention. A member-driven public education campaign, Kids Eat Right mobilizes the Academy’s more than 75,000 members to support families, schools and communities in their pursuit of quality nutrition for all children. Nikolai is a member of the group.

Visit www.kidseatright.org for tips, articles, recipes and videos to help families shop smart, cook healthy and eat right.

Washington Pediatrics, P.A., has served children and their families in Beaufort and the surrounding counties since 1955. Currently employing five board-certified pediatricians, a physician assistant, two family nurse practitioners, two staff psychologists and a dietitian, the staff specializes in the management of well and sick infants and children through age 18 years.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation is a 501(c)3 charity devoted exclusively to nutrition and dietetics. It funds scholarships and awards, public awareness and research projects and Academy strategic initiatives, and is the largest provider of scholarships and awards in the field of dietetics. The Foundation’s mission is advancing public health and nutrition utilizing the expertise of Registered Dietitians. Visit the Academy Foundation at www.eatright.org/foundation.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at www.eatright.org.