What are the benefits of

eating fruits and vegetables?

Source: Healthy Eating

Fruits and vegetables benefit kids in many ways, including improved nutrition, decreased obesity risk and better school performance, but most children don’t get the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Only 22 percent of toddlers and preschoolers and only 16 percent of kids ages six to 11 meet the government’s recommendation, according to Ohio State research. One-half of children’s mealtime plates should be filled with fruits and vegetables in order to reap the benefits.

Improved Nutrition

Children’s growing bodies require good nutrition, and fruits and vegetables contain a multitude of vitamins, minerals and other healthy compounds. Citrus fruits and strawberries are rich in immune system-boosting vitamin C, carrots are loaded with eye-healthy vitamin A and spinach is a good source of iron, a mineral that helps prevent anemia. Eating fruits and vegetables in a rainbow of colors will provide a wide range of nutrients that help keep kids healthy.

Decreased Obesity

Fruits and vegetables are high in filling fiber, but low in fat and calories. Encouraging kids to eat fruits and vegetables instead of sugary snacks and fat-laden fast food can help children avoid obesity. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 16 percent of kids ages six to 19 are overweight, increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, respiratory problems and depression. A USDA study of 3,064 kids ages five to 18 linked higher fruit consumption to healthier body weights.

Digestive Health

High-fiber foods, such as fruits and vegetables, help the digestive system function properly. Constipation in kids can often be eased by eating more high-fiber prunes, apricots, plums, peas, beans and broccoli, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. As fiber passes through the digestive system, it absorbs water and expands which triggers regular bowel movements and relieves constipation.

Better School Performance

Children with healthy diets, including high consumption of fruits and vegetables, performed better on academic tests than children who consumed fewer fruits and vegetables in a study published in the April 2008 issue of the “Journal of School Health”. A number of factors influence the academic performance of kids, but nutrition is an important contributor to better school performance, the report noted.

Students to get free breaksfast and lunch

FREE Fresh Fruits and Vegetables at Albany Elementary School begins Wednesday, September 2nd during snack time and will be available to ALL children for FREE. This program will be available EVERY Wednesday during snack time for AES students. Parents, please encourage your child to participate in the program.

Students to get free breaksfast and lunch

A friendly reminder ALL students in Clinton County School District will receive FREE breakfast and lunch.

For more information please contact April Speck, Clinton County Healthy Hometown Coordinator at 606-387-2051 or april.speck@clinton.kyschools.us

Healthy Hometown is working toward a “healthy” Clinton County.