Nutrition education in schools

[Christa]

I am just curious b/c my older daughter starts kindergarten next year -

I got a copy of the school's curricula for other reasons, but noticed that they will be doing nutrition education in science which includes the USDA food guide pyramid. I am fully aware of where nutrition education in schools comes from having been educated as a health educator myself and having taken courses in school health education.

I know that the FGP does include beans and meat alternatives, but the dairy part of the pyramid does not offer alternatives for dairy. I am considering ordering a copy of a vegetarian food guide pyramid, laminating it, and asking the teacher to include this as an acceptable alternative to the USDA one.

What have those of you who have elementary aged kids done when they got to nutrition education? It just rubs me the wrong way to have Angelina have to put down dairy and/or meat as necessary, or (honestly) even acceptable, forms of nutrition when being quizzed on nutrition.

[Erin Pavlina]

It's really too bad that the schools use the USDA chart.

If you're brave, I might suggest going to the school and doing a presentation on alternate forms of dairy. And if you can afford it, bring samples of like Soy Dream ice cream sandwiches to hand out or something equivalent. At least if the kids are going to be exposed to the USDA chart, they can be exposed to alternatives too.

Also, there's a great nutrition chart, laminated, that I just discovered. Go to www.greenleafy.org and check it out. They sent me a sample chart which I'll be reviewing soon, but it's the perfect "gift" for your child's teacher at school!

[duckie1978]

I am sure that if you talk to her teacher once she starts school, she will be willing to accomidate Angelina's diet. You may have to bring in all of your own info for the teacher. That way you can also address her diet and her new teacher can watch out for "bad" foods.