This March, the American Dietetic Association is celebrating National Nutrition Month® which focuses on nutrition education and the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. The theme this year is “Eat right with Color,” which aims to encourage everyone to include a colorful variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy on a daily basis.
We all know how a healthy diet is important to our well-being. This month, Dinosaur Train invites you and your child to prepare a vegetarian or herbivore picnic full of healthy foods by visiting Dinosaur Train on PBS.org. Further resources for parents can be found on the American Dietetic Association site at www.eatright.org/nnm where you can download a PDF list of healthy snacks for kids. Here is a sampling:
1. Peel a banana and dip it in yogurt. Roll in crushed cereal and freeze.
2. Spread celery sticks with peanut butter or low-fat cream cheese. Top with raisins. Enjoy your “ants on a log.”
3. Stuff a whole-grain pita pocket with ricotta cheese and Granny Smith apple slices. Add a dash of cinnamon.
4. Mix together ready-to-eat cereal, dried fruit and nuts in a sandwich bag for an on-the-go snack.
5. Smear a scoop of frozen yogurt on two graham crackers and add sliced banana to make a yummy
sandwich.
Next, Buddy can help you and your child prepare a vegetarian (herbivore) picnic with The Have A Brachiosaurus Picnic activity which "helps young children to learn what foods fit into an herbivore's diet (fruits and vegetables); reminds children about the importance of hand washing before eating; and also creates an opportunity to discuss why all animals need to eliminate waste from their bodies (a.k.a. “poop”)." This activity is aimed at children ages 3-6 and includes a list of the required ingredients for fun foods such as:
- Brachiosaurus Super Salad: The kids will have fun tearing up green leafy veggies into bite-size pieces and mixing ranch dressing with green coloring to make a tasty topping.
- Sauropod Sandwich: With a plastic knife, cut pieces of whole wheat bread in the shape of a favorite dinosaur and spread with cheese spread or peanut butter.
- Herbivore Herb and Spinach Spread: Mix frozen spinach, dried onion soup mix, sour cream, celery sticks and crackers
- Green Juice: Fill a child’s plastic cup with apple juice and add green food color to make a green beverage fit for an herbivore.
In addition to celebrating National Nutrition Month with fun healthy ideas, Dinosaur Train is offering one of Toronto Teacher Mom's U.S. followers a copy of DINOSAUR TRAIN: PTERANODON FAMILY WORLD TOUR ADVENTURE DVD, which will be released on March 15 from Paramount Home Entertainment and PBS Kids. The hit television series Dinosaur Train® airs daily on PBS KIDS® (check local listings).
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