Does It Meet the Standards?

We are responsible for providing opportunities to our children to learn healthy lifestyles, including good nutrition. Our children learn these "lessons" from us...their parents, teachers, and adult role models.

To help identify foods that should be served to your children, ask these questions:

• Does it contain more than 199 calories per serving?
• Is it candy, soft drinks, chewing gum or flavored popsicles?
• Does it contain more than 8 grams of fat per ounce and more than 30% of calories from fat?
• Does it contain 10% or more of calories from saturated fat?
• Does it have more than 0.5 grams of trans fat?
• Does it have more than 200 milligrams of sodium?
• Is it a beverage other than low-fat or skim milk, pure drinking water w/ no additives, or fruit juice?
• Is it a fruit or vegetable drink w/ less than 100% real juice?
• Does it contain more than 35% of calories from sugar?
• Does the food contain artificial sweetener?

If the answer is YES to any of these question, you should think twice about providing it to your child. Instead, encourage healthy alternatives to the above.

If we all do our part as parents, teachers, and adult role models, we can make a difference by promoting healthy lifestyles for our children.