Kids Learn to Eat Healthier through Be Healthy Program

Kids Learn to Eat Healthier through the Be Healthy Lunch Program

The program, sponsored by Florida Hospital, the Orlando Magic and Wholesome Tummies, exposed kids to healthier food choices

ORLANDO, Fla. June 7, 2010 - Many of the kindergarten students at St. Andrew Catholic School had no idea what a squash was when the Be Healthy lunch program launched in February 2010, but now it is one of the class' favorite vegetables. The Be Healthy lunch program, sponsored by Florida Hospital, the Orlando Magic and Wholesome Tummies, recently celebrated the graduation of the 21 students who completed the program and served up its final healthy lunch of the school year with the help of Orlando Magic Community Ambassador Nick Anderson, STUFF and the Orlando Magic Dancers.

"Since the Be Healthy lunch program started four months ago, I have seen a huge change in what these kids are eating," said Lori Auger, teacher of the Be Healthy kindergarten class. "They bring fresh fruit for snack time instead of fruit gummies and are willing to try way more foods than I ever thought they would."

At the graduation, students shared what they liked about the new healthy food they got to eat every day for lunch.

"I really liked the broccoli," said 6-year-old Nadia Graham. "I like eating healthy and I learned a lot."

To help the students recognize the importance of their healthy food lessons, everyone in the class received a certificate for completing the program; however, according to the program facilitator, the students took away so much more than just a piece of paper.

"These children truly gained a better understanding of how to eat healthy. Many of them had no idea what a fruit or vegetable was when I first started working with them," said Jennifer Ketchersid, the Be Healthy program facilitator and a clinical care coordinator at Florida Hospital for Children. "It is so important to teach children about eating healthy when they are young so it will become a part of their life as they grow."

With childhood obesity at an all time high, the Be Healthy lunch program was designed to expose kids to healthier food options and teach them about the importance of good nutrition. The program provided free lunch everyday to the kindergarten class at St. Andrew Catholic School. In addition to trying new foods, the students also learned about good nutrition through weekly lessons with a clinical care coordinator from Florida Hospital for Children. Together, they planted a class garden outside their classroom, sampled a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and learned important food lessons such as how to tell the difference between hunger pains and eating when bored.

The Be Healthy lunch program is part of Florida Hospital's initiative to help the community live to a healthy 100 years old. Healthy 100 encourages people to make lifestyle changes to live healthier, longer lives. Visit www.healthy100.org for more information.

For more information, contact Florida Hospital Media Relations at 407-303-8217.

www.floridahospitalnews.com

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