Elementary School Nutrition Scavenger Hunt Thank you for your interest in taking steps to a healthier 2012! It’s National Nutrition Month and we’ll be celebrating all month with a nutrition scavenger hunt in our school cafeterias! Join us for the fun and the learning and be sure to ask your child:

What was today’s nutrition message? What foods matched the clue? (Not applicable for Feb. 29 & March 30) What did you chose to eat for lunch that matched the clue? (Not applicable for

Feb. 29 & March 30.) To assist you with the conversations, the following is included for your reference:

1. Scavenger hunt ‘nutrition clues’. 2. Nutrition information to discuss the ‘answers’ to the daily clues with your

child. 3. The list of the foods that fit the clue. (These foods will be identified on the

serving lines with plastic medallions, so students will be able to hunt for them quickly.)

February 29 clue: Find the best resources in the cafeteria to get the answers to healthy eating.

More information: Always question your nutrition source. Make sure it is from a reputable source and is based on proven, science-based evidence that follows The Dietary Guidelines for Americans. (ChooseMyPlate.gov is an excellent source on-line.)

Today: The ChooseMyPlate poster will be displayed with the website information www.choosemyplate.gov

Today: The food service employees at your school are educated nutrition specialists. (Choose ‘MyTray’ at school!)

March 1 clue: Find an item on the serving line at lunch that provides carbohydrates. These foods provide you energy.

More information: Carbohydrates are nutrients found mostly in the fruit & grains groups. However, some vegetables, such as potatoes, corn and green peas also contain carbohydrates.

On today’s menus: Sub sandwich bun, cereal, cinnamon goldfish crackers or dipping sticks and all varieties of fruits.

March 2 clue: Find an item on the serving line at lunch that when chosen in limited quantity provides good nutrition, however choosing it in its whole form is a better choice.

More information: In the fruit group, specifically fruit juices, limit how much you consume. Make sure it is 100% fruit juice. Fresh fruit is a better choice since it gives us fiber that provides good health benefits.

On today’s menus: 100% Orange juice

March 5 clue: Find an item on the serving line at lunch that is high in protein which helps build muscles.

More information: The protein group includes, meat, eggs, nuts, & beans (black, refried, kidney, navy, etc - does not include green beans). Other protein rich foods belong in the dairy group which includes, milk, cheese, & yogurt.

On today’s menus: Popcorn chicken, taco meat, cottage cheese, milk, & peanut butter.

March 6 clue: Find an item on the serving line at lunch that helps you see well in the dark and contains Vitamin A.

More information: Vitamin A rich foods are found mostly in the fruit & vegetable groups. Foods high in Vitamin A: Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrots Romaine Tomatoes Watermelon Milk Celery

On Today’s menu: Milk, spaghetti sauce, romaine salad, & other items as

listed above that are served as the fruit & vegetable choices.

March 7 clue: Find an item on the serving line at lunch that gives you calcium, Vitamin A&D in one serving.

More information: Calcium, Vitamin A&D are found in milk. While certain brands of other foods in the dairy group may fit this category as well, milk will always have all three. Switch to fat free and low fat.

On today’s menus: All varieties of milk (Fat free, 1%, & flavored skim).

March 8 clue: Find an item on the serving line at lunch that is not just any vegetable, it provides high amounts of fiber and protein.

More information: Beans, as part of the protein group provide high fiber and protein. They are also part of the vegetable group. Vegetarians often meet their protein needs by eating a variety of these foods. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends eating plant protein foods in place of meat more often.

On today’s menus: Pipin’ hot baked beans.

March 9 clue: Find an item on the serving line at lunch that gives you strong bones and teeth.

More information: Calcium is the nutrient needed for strong bones and teeth. The best sources of calcium are found in the dairy group, which includes milk, cheese, & yogurt.

On today’s menus: Milk, cheese & pepperoni pizza, cheese enchiladas, layered bean dip (cheese)

March 19 clue: Find an item on the serving line at lunch that you would need to eat 3 cups of to get the same amount of calcium as 8 oz. of milk.

More information: Broccoli, as part of the vegetable group, is one of the few vegetables that provide calcium. However it takes 3 cups of broccoli to equal the calcium of 8 oz. of milk.

On today’s menus: Broccoli

March 20 clue: Find an item on the serving line at lunch that contains Vitamin C and helps your body fight off illness.

More information: Vitamin C is found in the fruit & vegetable groups. Foods High in Vitamin C Bell Peppers Broccoli Green or Red Cabbage Cantaloupe Cauliflower Kiwi Honeydew Onions Orange Pineapple Potato Radish

Strawberries Tangerines Tomatoes Watermelon Banana Carrot Celery Corn Cucumber Green Beans Nectarines Peaches On today’s menus: 100% Orange juice & other items listed above that are

served as fruit and vegetable choices. March 21 clue: Find an item on the serving line at lunch that contains whole grains and provides carbohydrates that give you lots of energy.

More information: The grains group is an important source of carbohydrates. Make half your grains whole.

On today’s menus: Pasta, cereal, cinnamon goldfish cracker or dipping graham sticks.

March 22 clue: Find an item on the serving line at lunch that will help you get to the recommended 3 servings per day.

More information: Choose at least 3 servings daily within the dairy group. This includes, milk, cheese, & yogurt. Switch to fat free and low fat.

On today’s menus: Milk, taco salad (if cheese is selected for a topping), and cheese quesadilla.

March 23 clue: Find an item on the serving line at lunch that has Omega 3 fatty acids which helps your heart and brain.

More information: Fish, which is in the protein group, provides high levels of Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Choose seafood lower in mercury, such as salmon, trout, herring, sardines, “light” tuna, oysters, muscles, clams, calamari, etc. twice a week for healthier eating.

On today’s menus: Catfish

March 26 clue: Find an item on the serving line that provide a rainbow of color on your tray and have many hidden disease fighting benefits.

More information: Brighten your plate with vegetables that are red, orange, or dark green. They are full of vitamins and minerals. Try acorn squash, cherry tomatoes, sweet potatoes, or spinach. They not only taste great but are also good for you, too.

On today’s menus: All brightly colored fruits and vegetables.

March 27 clue: Find an item on the serving line at lunch that satisfies your sweet tooth.

More information: All fruits are naturally sweet and make a great end to any meal. They also provide fiber and are rich in nutrients. When you crave something sweet between meals, fruit makes a great snack too!

On today’s menus: All fruits

March 28 clue: Find an item on the serving line at lunch that is colorful and high in fiber. This item helps you feel full, and prevents some types of cancers.

More information: Beans not only provide high fiber and lots of protein, they can taste good too. Try adding legumes to your meals at home. Colorful fruits and vegetables also provide lots of fiber. Variety is the key for good health, so try to eat a rainbow of colorful fruits & vegetables every day.

On today’s menus: Confetti salad and assorted choices of fresh fruits and vegetables of the day.

March 29 clue: Find an item on the serving line at lunch that contains hidden whole grains.

More information: Some foods don’t look like whole grains, but they are! Others look like they are whole grain and are not. Read the ingredients on food labels and watch for the word “whole” as the first ingredient. School menus also tell you if a food is ‘whole grain’, we checked the labels to be sure.

On today’s menus: Mini corn dogs (batter) & dinner roll.

March 30 clue: Find a great place to build a healthy plate with nutritious treasures every day.

The fantastic serving lines in our school are filled with the nutritious, delicious foods every day. Our customers can easily follow the MyPlate guidelines while filling MyTray. Encourage your child to choose fruits & vegetables every day, the goal is to fill HALF their tray with those foods!