is for Apples

Apples are red, juicy and delicious.

Parents - You can serve apples as a supplement to any meal.

is for Bananas

Bananas are yellow and monkeys love them almost as much as kids do.

Parents - You can dice up bananas to add to cereal in the morning.

is for Candy

Candy is fun to eat, but only once in a while. Fruits and Vegetables are a better choice.

Parents - As with all good things, moderation is key with candy and other sweets.

is for Diet

A healthy diet gives us lots of energy to run, skip and play.

Parents - This is important because "The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity worldwide is increasing dramatically" according to Hebestreit, et al (2013p. 674).

is for Excitement

It is exciting to eat nutritious foods and show our friends what is good for them.

Parents - Showing children that healthy food can be enjoyable is key to getting them to eat it.

is for Fruits

There are many types of fruits and it is fun to eat nutritious ones from different cultures.

Parents - Exposing kids to different types of foods from many cultures can help expand their experiences and their palette.

is for Grapefruit

We can make juice from grapefruit which is fun to drink with breakfast.

Parents - Creating juice from fresh fruit is healthier than using store bought juices.

is for Healthy

Eating healthy snacks keeps our bodies in tip top shape.

Parents - As Fayet-Moore, et all say "There is a long-held concern that increased snacking contributes to obesity" (2017, p. 2), so it's important as parents to make sure snacks are healthy.

is for Ice

Eating ice is a good way to stay hydrated on a hot, sunny day.

Parents - Water is extremely important for your growing child, especially when they are active and playing on hot days.

is for Juice

Fresh apple and orange juice can be a nice treat with our lunch.

Parents - A healthy drink with a lunch time meal is essential.  As with any sugary drink, be aware of how much juice your child consumes.

is for Kale

Kale is a yummy lettuce for salads.

Parents - Mixing kale with other vegetables that your children enjoy will help them learn to love this healthy snack.

is for Legumes

Legumes is a fancy word for beans.  Beans help us to process the food in our bodies.

Parents - Legumes can be included with salads, mixed with eggs, or enjoyed at dinner.  As Wawryka & Zdrojewicz say "Legumes are a rich source of nutrients" (2016, p. 394).

is for Meat

Meat gives us proteins which help to build big muscles.

Parents - Meat is a good supplement to any meal.  This can include, beef, chicken or pork.

is for Nutrients

When we eat healthy foods we get lots of good nutrients to help us grow.

Parents - The Dept of Nutrition at UC Davis says "Nutrients that we obtain from food provide our bodies with the means and materials to grow, stay healthy, and give us energy to think, learn, and play" (N.D., p. 1).

is for Orange

Oranges are juicy and full of vitamin C to help keep us from getting sick.

Parents - Oranges make a good snack for your kids and can be used to make fresh juice as well.

is for Potatoes

Potatoes contain lots of fiber which is good for a healthy heart.

Parents - Potatoes can be a bit starchy, but you can also use sweet potatoes which have a lot of nutritional benefits.

is for Quiche

Quiche is a fun word for a meal with eggs!

Parents - Quiche can be made with any number of different vegetables for a nice, healthy meal.

is for Rasberries

Raspberries are juicy and fun to eat with your friends.

Parents - Raspberries make a juicy snack on a hot day, but can be a little messy!