Partners in education

Children develop healthy habits for life with a strong partnership between the School Nutrition Department and classroom programs. We are proud to be a continued partner in education in the Portsmouth School District. Recently Patricia Laska (the Nutrition Services Director and a Registered Dietitian) visited a fourth grade class at the Little Harbour School to provide great hands-on information on healthy nutrition and digestion. Ask your children if they remember how long the rope was that was used as an example for the length of their digestive tract!

Why eat breakfast?
I don't have time!

Many studies report up to 40 % of all kids do not eat breakfast. Some kids will skip breakfast because they think it's a way to stay thin. If you are someone who thinks this is true think again! Studies show that breakfast is associated with better weight control. Breakfast eaters tend to eat fewer calories, less saturated fat and cholesterol and have better overall nutritional status than breakfast skippers. Without breakfast your energy levels are very low and as a result, you tend to impulsively snack - often on high-fat sweets - or to eat extra servings at lunch or dinner. When you eat breakfast, your body feels nourished and satisfied, making you less likely to overeat the rest of the day and allows you to reach your full potential.

The research shows even more compelling reasons for kids:

• Research has shown a strong connection between eating a healthy breakfast and success in school. Students who eat breakfast before school have a general increase in math grades and reading scores, better attention, less sick days and less visits to the nurse.
• In addition research has shown that children who eat a healthy breakfast achieve higher scores on standardized tests, get better grades overall and generally meet their daily nutritional needs in comparison to those who do not eat breakfast.

Eating a good breakfast in the morning is a sure way to help start your brain and body working well to prepare you for school. If it's too hard to get a good breakfast in before an early bus or carpool consider eating with us! Meals served through the Portsmouth School Nutrition Program are required to meet all Federal nutrition guidelines. A healthy breakfast served by us includes:

• Milk
• Fruit/vegetable/100% juice
• Whole grains/breads and /or cereal or
• Meat/meat alternate

"No time" is no excuse, so tomorrow morning; come and fuel up at your school cafeteria with a healthy breakfast!

*Information from the American Dietetic Association

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