Teaching nutrition in Joplin schools - KOAM TV 7

Teaching nutrition in Joplin schools

by LISA OLLIGES

Look in a students lunch bag and you can see some are not eating what is best for them.

So the Missouri extension office is teaming up with West Central Elementary to promote healthy eating.  And it is an enthusiastic thumbs up for gold fish crackers from first graders as they learn about the grains food group.

Four classes are getting nutrition lessons for about six weeks.

Eventually they will even do a little food sampling and kids will learn about proper portions after the get to know the food groups.

"So that they do make wise decisions," says Gayle Fahrenbruch, nutrition educator for the university extension office.  "If we don't know, we're not educated about what's good for our bodies and the importance of balance and variety, then they can't make the choices that are most beneficial for their health."

The principal of the school says this program is a great lead-in to the Live Smart campaign, in which the students will participate as well.