CHILDHOOD NUTRITION: Educators preach pyramids

Local News

March 30, 2007

By April Amadon/amadona@gnnewspaper.com The Lockport Union-Sun %26 Journal Fri Mar 30, 2007, 09:06 PM EDT

Donna Kurial, food service manager for the Wilson district, said planning meals for students is all about the big picture.

“We plan well-balanced meals, always done over an average period of time,” Kurial said. “If you would focus on one day, it may seem to be a higher fat content, but if you do it over a range of five days you will find the average.”

The meals are planned in line with the new USDA food guide pyramid, which was introduced in 2005, giving food service managers an idea of what growing kids need to thrive.

At Anna Merritt Elementary School, Principal Michael Sobieraski said students learn about the food pyramid in class and bring that information home to their parents.

Charles Upson Elementary School Principal Russ Buckley said the food pyramid is part of the science curriculum at the elementary level, when kids are the most likely to learn habits that will stay with them throughout childhood.

The students have visited Web sites like www.mypyramid.gov, where the USDA offers many tools for kids.

The new pyramid emphasizes whole grains and proteins, and unlike the previous pyramid, includes a notation about the importance of physical activity.

Charles Upson students have a recess break after lunch to give them a chance to exercise.

“There’s a lot of education that’s been taking place for those exact reasons — diabetes, obesity,” Buckley said. “(We want to) get them started to really think about what they’re eating so it has a long-term effect.”

Lockport Memorial Hospital Registered Dietitian Robin Dulniak said kids are beginning to eat healthier as the education is improving.

“Children are learning about it very young in the schools, which is good,” Dulniak said. “They're in school all day, and they need the energy to learn and do the activities that are necessary.”

Contact reporter April Amadon at 439-9222, ext. 6251.

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