Healthier Meals as Kids Head Back to School

USDA’s Regional Administrator James Arena-DeRosa welcomes kids back to school

As regional Administrator for USDA, what is your role in school meals?

As lead Obama Administration Official for the Food and Nutrition Service in New England, my agency oversees the 15 federal nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. Administered by State agencies, USDA reimburses schools for providing healthy meals to children to help fight hunger and obesity.

Answering the First Lady’s call for healthier eating and healthier lifestyles, the Let’s Move to Healthier Schools initiative is providing healthier foods in our schools, and encouraging all schools to provide breakfast.

What’s can kids expect in the cafeteria this year?

Kids will see a healthier school day.

·         At breakfast, they’ll see more whole grains, more fruits and lower fat milk.

·         Last year, USDA released new rules to boost the nutritional quality of the meals eaten by school children. The rules were the first major revision of school meal standards in more than 15 years.

·         School lunches include daily fruit and vegetable offerings, whole grains, and low fat dairy.

·         Both breakfast and lunch are providing adequate portions for the calorie needs of students of different ages.

·         Next year, new snack nutrition standards will kick in, but many schools are already serving healthier snack foods for children to purchase during the school day.

These updated school meal standards make the healthy choice, the easy choice for our kids.

Why is this being done?

Nearly one third of children in America are at risk for preventable diseases like diabetes and heart disease due to being overweight and obese. Their ability to learn in the classroom, grow up healthy and to reach their fullest potential depends on what we do right now to secure their future. I believe there is no greater investment in the future of this country than investing in the health and education of our children.

Schools are well positioned to have an impact because many children consume at least half of their meals at school, and for some children, food served at school may be the only food they regularly eat.

Parents and teachers know that children who eat breakfast and lunch perform better at school. They pay more attention, are engaged in the classroom and miss less school. Studies show that kids that have breakfast perform better on tests.

What can kids do to get this school year off to a healthy start?

·         Start the day off right, by eating breakfast.

·         Try the new foods and find your favorites. I tried Quinoa at a Bellingham, MA school and now I’m having it at home and loving it.

·         Voice your choice. Tell your lunch lady if there’s a food you’d like served more often or if there is something you like that’s not on the menu.

·         Give every food a taste.

·         Try foods more than once. You may like it prepared in a different way.

·         Encourage your friends and family to eat healthy foods. A treat is fine on occasion too. It’s all about balance.

·         Stay active. It’s an important part of the day for everybody. I love technology too, but I still play softball and walk daily.

·         Think of MyPlate when making your selections. Make it half full of fruits and vegetables,  and pair with lean proteins, whole grains and low-fat dairy.

What tips can you give parents?

·         Be a role model. Try new foods with your kids.

·         Encourage kids to keep an open mind.

·         Eat meals at home that focus on fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Some of my favorite foods were ones my mom encouraged me to try such as asparagus and parsnips, as well as New England favorites apples and blueberries.

·         Ask your kids what they ate at school and incorporate those foods in family recipes.

·         If packing a lunch, include a fruit, and make sandwiches with whole grain bread.

·         Get kids involved in cooking and grocery shopping. Look at the labels; pick those items with lower fat, sodium and high fiber.

·         Visit a local farm or grow herbs on the window sill. Kids want to try foods they grew from seed. Kids are more engaged when they learn where their food comes from and the amount of work it takes to get food on their table.

·         Being active as a family can benefit everyone. Go for a walk after dinner or turn up the music and dance.

·         Check out MyPlate; there’s sample recipes and menus, tips on healthy eating on a budget, food and activity trackers, and much more.