| Daily news about school nutrition |  |
- Emphasis on student choice during meals eases parents' anxiety
Parents in Boise, Idaho, who are concerned their children do not get enough to eat at lunch under new federal nutrition rules usually are less worried once district food and nutrition services supervisor and dietitian Peggy Bodnar explains that students determine what they eat. Students must choose from three of five food groups, including one vegetable or fruit. But Bodnar admits that the meals, which are aimed at the average student, may not be enough for a 200-pound athlete who needs more calories.  KIVI-TV (Boise, Idaho)
(10/10)     
 | Increase whole grains, even on chili day.
New Edibowls® are whole grain-rich, and substantial enough to serve with a variety of menu items, even winter favorites like soup and chili. Kids love eating chili in our edible crispy bowl, topped with cheese. Click here to get this kid-approved recipe. |
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| School Update |  |  |
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- N.J. elementary students embrace Walk to School Day
The student body of Betty McElmon Elementary in West Long Branch, N.J., observed International Walk to School Day by trekking a quarter-mile to school. The students, accompanied by a parent, carried signs advocating walking for fitness and marking the occasion. "It promotes a healthy, active lifestyle and the kids get a lot of excitement out of it," Principal Jim Erhardt said. Asbury Park Press (Neptune-Asbury Park, N.J.)
(10/12)
- How have school lunches changed?
Journalist Janice D'Arcy outlines the major changes in the new national school lunch guidelines issued by the USDA in this interview with Jessica Donze Black, director of the Kids' Safe and Healthful Foods Project. The changes going into effect this year, Black notes, are the first major alterations of the guidelines in 15 years and are based on current nutritional science. "The improved meal standards are intended to meet one-third of the daily needs of the average child," Black said. The Washington Post/On Parenting blog
(10/11)
| Nutrition & Wellness | | |
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- Better glucose control seen with interval walking
Type 2 diabetes patients who underwent interval-walking training showed better maximal oxygen consumption, blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity compared with those who did continuous-walking training or were in the control group, a study presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes meeting revealed. Researchers also found interval walkers lost almost 9 pounds on average, while those in the CWT group did not lose weight after the intervention. Medscape (free registration)
(10/5)
| Trends & Research | | |
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- Healthful food is moving to center stage, report says
Restaurants, vending machines and other locations are incorporating more healthy and sustainable food, according to a culinary-trend report from Packaged Facts and CCD Innovation. The report identifies seven trends in various stages of adoption by chefs and grocers, including heirloom whole-grain bread, use of legumes at breakfast, more vegan options and veggie-burger alternatives to meat patties. The report also notes that the definition of "healthful" food has changed to reflect food that offers nutrition benefits, as opposed to food that is less harmful when overconsumed. MediaPost Communications/Marketing Daily
(10/10)
- Higher-intensity exercise helps lower odds of metabolic syndrome
Regular fast walks reduced the risk of metabolic syndrome by half and jogging cut it by 40%, while an hour of walking had no impact, Danish researchers reported in the journal BMJ Open. The study suggests that intensity of physical activity rather than exercise duration is a key to preventing metabolic syndrome. HealthDay News
(10/8)
| Policy Watch | | |
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- More than half of Ore. students qualify for subsidized school lunches
Fifty-three percent of students attending public schools in Oregon qualify for the federal free- and reduced-price lunch program, education reporter Betsy Hammond writes. The number of students qualifying for the program has risen each year, breaking the 50% mark in the 2009-10 school year. "The same phenomenon of rising shares of students eating subsidized school meals can be seen across the nation, as the recession and its aftermath take their toll, particularly on households with young children," Hammond writes. The Oregonian (Portland)/Oregon Education blog
(10/11)
| SNA News | | |
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NSLW "School Lunch -- What's Cooking?" resources
National School Lunch Week, Oct. 15 to 19, is next week! This year's theme will help students and parents understand the healthy options you serve in your cafeteria every day. SNA has lots of resources available to help make your NSLW celebration sizzle, including a toolkit, school-made recipes, activity sheets, logos and more. Also, once your celebration is over, be sure to share your photos and event details with SNA. Learn more.
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 | Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them."
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