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Check out this great nutrition article by Joseph Crammer, M.D.  

Just another reason to eat our fruits and veggies!

The-pain-of-calorie-rich-malnutrition-in-the-United-States

FHE Idea- Nutrition

by Christi Jardine (Stake Provident Living Leader)

This is a great time of year to teach your family about nutrition! There are so many fruits and veggies ready to harvest. For Family Home Evening take time to review and teach your family about the importance of eating right by going to:

www.choosemyplate.gov

 There are coloring pages, interactive activities, posters, etc. It is very well done and a great visual representation of healthy eating portions. 

Here is a fun activity to try for FHE:

1- Review the info. on "My Plate".

2- Game:  Play a game with the food in your pantry and refrigerator. Take turns choosing a box, can, bag or fruit, etc. out of your pantry. Have members of your family tell which food group it goes in. Continue playing until family members identify the correct food with the correct food group illustrated on "My Plate". 

3- Activity:  Give each person a paper plate. Use coloring crayons or markers to divide and color the plate into the food groups illustrated on "My Plate". For example: Proteins- purple, Fruits- red, Vegetables- green, Grains- gold, Milk- light blue. Then use magazine pictures, dry pasta, dry beans, etc. to glue on to the paper plate to represent each food group. Make sure to glue the food in the correct food group. (Pasta in the grains/gold section). 

4- Family Outing: Visit a local "Farmers Market" or "Pick Your Own Fruits or Vegetables". Enjoy some of the delicious produce from our area. Take some home to eat. Maybe you could work together to dry, can, or freeze some for the winter. When children help they often will enjoy eating what they picked or picked out! Enjoy!

5- Refreshments: Have some sliced peaches or pears, fruit kabobs, cherry tomatoes, celery with peanut butter, carrots and dip, etc., etc. The possibilities are endless! Just make sure it is nutritious! 

***This Family Home Evening can help your family members complete other things they are working on: 


Primary Children: Faith in God, "Developing Talents," Activity which states:
"Learn about and practice good nutrition, good health, and good grooming, including modest dress."

faith-in-god-for-girls/developing-talents 

Young Women:
Personal Progress, Knowlege Value Experience #2,

lds.org/young-women/personal-progress/knowledge

Personal Progress: Good Works Value Experience #2

lds.org/young-women/personal-progress/good-works

Young Men: BSA, Cooking Merit Badge

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/MeritBadges/mb-COOK.aspx

Berries Are Nutritious

Here are a few interesting nutrition facts about berries:

Berries contain Antioxidant compounds/Cancer fighting compounds- (which may improve memory and coordination)

• Blueberries highest levels of all berries,but raspberries also contain antioxidants

• Blackberries are rich in a compound that helps fight cancer and inflammation and may also reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Strawberries are rich in ellagic acid, a cancer fighter.

Fiber:

• Raspberries, blackberries and strawberries are loaded with 4 grams of fiber per half cup

Vitamins:

• One half cup of strawberries provides 57 percent of your daily requirement for vitamin C.

“Elderberries, black currants, and chokeberries are still scarce in the marketplace, but that may change as consumers learn about their high antioxidant content — they may have 50 percent higher antioxidant levels than the more common berries!”1

1  - Nutrition information from:  “Berry, Berry Nutritious”, Janis Jibrin, M.S., R.D., www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/nutrition/nutrition-berries-jibrin-0106,