PUT A RAINBOW ON THEIR PLATE

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PUT A RAINBOW ON THEIR PLATE INCREASING FRUIT
VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION THROUGH FUN CLASSROOM
ACTIVITIES RANDY HERMAN, DTR, SNS October 29,2007
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WHY FRUITS AND VEGETABLES? Fruits and vegetables
provide essential vitamins and nutrients. They
are necessary for a healthy immune system,
healthy skin and healing cuts and
bruises. Colorful fruits and vegetables contain
phytochemicals that protect against disease.
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INCORPORATE FRUITS VEGETABLES INTO YOUR
EXISTING CURRICULUM Fruits vegetables can be
used in any area of pre-school development
Social, Cognitive, Emotional and Physical
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• HOW DO WE DO THAT???
• Use the many opportunities throughout the day to
  enforce the importance of 5 a day
• Use the school menus to discuss food choices
• Talk about the fruit vegetable items on your
  tray while eating meals with your students
• Read books about fruits vegetables and 5-a-day
  (reading)

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• HOW DO WE DO THAT???
• Use the many opportunities throughout the day to
  enforce the importance of 5 a day
• Sing songs about fruits vegetables and 5-a-day
  (music)
• Use peas, carrots or grapes in your counting
  lesson (math)
• Make fruit and vegetable collages (art)

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EATING THE ALPHABET A is for Apple
B is for Banana
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TEACH THE COLORS OF THE RAINBOW Red Fruits
Vegetables Green Fruits Vegetables Blue/Purple
Fruits Vegetables
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INCORPORATE THE SEASONS Fall Apple
Lessons varieties, tastes, activities
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TASTE TESTS try new fruits vegetables that
children may be unfamiliar with
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TRY FRUITS VEGETABLES IN DIFFERENT FORMS (raw,
cooked, canned, frozen) Tasting is the best way
to expand a childs acceptance of new
foods USUALLY TAKES 10-12 TRYS FOR A CHILD TO
ACCEPT A NEW ITEM
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• More ideas for 5-a-day fun!
• Create a matching game with fruits vegetables
• Plan a field trip to a local market
• Try a simple cooking activity using fruits
  vegetables (fruit pizza)
• Read books about fruits and vegetables and
  provide samples to try

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• More ideas for 5-a-day fun!
• Make 5 a day placemats for lunch
• Color 5 a day chef hats to wear to lunch

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SWEET POTATO ART
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• RESOURCES AVAILABLE
• USA Pears www.usapears.com
• Sunkist www.sunkist.com
• Nutrition and Health www.nutrition.gov
• American Dietetic Association www.eatright.org
• Washington Apples www.bestapples.com/kids

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• RESOURCES AVAILABLE
• Dole 5 a day www.dole5aday.com
• California Kiwi Commission www.kiwifruit.org
• Power Panther www.fns.usda.gov
• MyPyramid www.mypyramid.gov
• Produce For Better Health www.pbhcatalog.org
• www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.oeg
• Yummy Designs www.yummydesigns.com

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• References
• NC Division of Public Health
• NC Dept. of Agriculture Consumer Services
• Dole 5 a day www.dole5aday.com
• Team Nutrition www.fns.usda.gov
• Dannon www.celebratehealthyeating.org

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• References
• American Heart Association
• www.first-school.ws
• Nutrition Explorations www.nutritionexplorations.o
  rg
• National Dairy Council Chef Combo