What will this legislation do? Here are the highlights:

Improve Access to School Meal Programs

1. Increase the number of eligible children enrolled in the school lunch programs by using Medicaid/SCHIP data to directly certify children who meet income requirements without requiring individual applications and requiring states to establish and execute a plan to increase rates of direct certification.
2. Provide enhanced universal meal access for eligible children in high poverty communities by eliminating paper applications and using census data to determine school wide income eligibility.
3. Increase children’s access to healthy school breakfasts by providing competitive grants to school districts to start up or improve their program.

Improve Access to Out of School Meal Programs

1. Ensure fewer children go hungry year round by providing meals for over 225,000 children through seamless meal service for children in school based and community based summer and after-school programs, and in low income rural areas.
2. Improve access for children in home-based child care by reducing administrative costs for sponsors of child care meal programs.

Help Schools and Child Care Improve the Quality of Meals

1. Assist schools in meeting meal requirements proposed by the Institute of Medicine by increasing the reimbursement rate for lunch by 6 cents per meal — the first real increase in over 30 years.
2. Enhance funding for nutrition education in schools to support healthy eating and school wellness.
3. Promote stronger collaboration and sharing of nutrition education between child care programs and WIC programs.

Encourage Public/Partnerships in Communities

1. Connect more children to healthy produce from local farms by helping communities establish local farm to school networks, establish school gardens and use more local foods in school cafeterias.
2. Leverage public and private partnerships to help reduce childhood hunger and promote community-wide strategies to improve child nutrition and wellness.

Improve Food Safety Requirements for School Meals Programs

1. Ensure school meals are safe for all students by extending food safety requirements to all areas in which school food is stored, prepared, and served.
2. Support improved communication to speed notification of recalled school foods consistent with GAO recommendations.
3. Ensures all foodservice employees have access to food safety training to prevent and identify food borne illness such as through web-based training.

Streamline Program Administration and Support Program Integrity

1. Increase efficiency, improve program administration, support services and program access and modernize the WIC program by extending period of certification for children, increasing support for breastfeeding, and transitioning from paper food vouchers to an electronic benefit program.
2. Strengthen School Meal program integrity and remove program silos in after school meal programs by simplifying program rules and affording schools greater flexibility for addressing program costs.

Commenting on this important piece of legislation- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack:

“ This legislation contains provisions that will help our kids learn about nutrition in the early stages of their lives so they can form healthy eating habits that will accompany them into adulthood. It will also help put in place the resources necessary to reach our goal of eliminating childhood obesity and bringing healthy meals to those that need them the most. By improving meal quality, solidifying nutrition standards for school meals and granting food to children in need – even in the summer months, our legislators are working towards a guaranteed healthy environment for schools.”

This legislation will help set American children on a path of healthy eating and healthy living at a time when approximately 22 percent of the nation’s children lack access to quality food and one in three children are overweight or obese. Today, over 32 million children rely on federal child nutrition programs.

In a statement from Congressman George Miller (D-CA), the Honorable Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee:

“The First Lady has made ending childhood obesity and improving children’s health her toppriority. Her “Let’s Move” campaign relies on the actions Congress will take to substantially improve our school meals programs First, in a country as great as ours, no child should go hungry. Federal child nutrition programs can and should play a vital role in giving our children access to the nutritious foods they need year round to thrive in the classroom and in life.Second, the cost of childhood obesity to the health of our children and our economy is staggering. If we don’t take action now, the future of our country is at stake. Third, the risks associated with food recalls and contaminated foods are very real and deserve immediate attention. The legislation will accomplish this task by starting first with our youngest children – including infants and toddlers who participate in the WIC program and in child care settings – by instilling healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime. And because hunger and children’s nutritional needs don’t take a vacation, our bill will create year-round meal service for schools to provide meals to children during the school year when school is not in session, like on the weekends, holidays and during the summer. Our schools need to implement improved nutritional standards that follow the recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA)-this means serving whole grains, vegetables, fat free and reduced fat dairy products. The case for this legislation is absolutely clear. We will fulfill our promise to our children in a fiscally responsible way.”

My friends, isn’t it time to eliminate food insecurity for our most precious resource- our children? Isn’t it time to provide nutritious foods in our school systems?  Shouldn’t our food supply be safe? To deal with the epidemics of hunger and obesity, which on the surface seem like opposites, but are actually more closely dependent, we need a partnership between our government, Corporate America and the people. The Child Nutrition Reauthorization is a great step forward. But its only one step.

Stay fit and healthy The New Nerdel Way.

“Through the Let’s Move! campaign—a comprehensive, collaborative, and community-oriented initiative that addresses all of the various factors that lead to childhood obesity—we are engaging every sector of society that impacts the health of children to provide schools, families and communities the simple tools they need to help kids be more active, eat better, and get healthy.”

As we all are aware, childhood (and adult) obesity is at epidemic proportions. According to the recent statistics, our nation is getting fatter and less fit. We are headed in the wrong direction. It is very difficult for individuals to lose the added weight once they have gained it. The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 (see Graehm Gray’s blog:  DGA Parts One and Two in The Nerdel News) coming out soon will explain in detail the latest accumulated research based information on what we should be eating. However, a plan must be formed to try and prevent the weight gain and increase the fitness levels of our children.

Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign in conjunction with the USDA, have developed a contest called Apps for Healthy Kids (www.appsforhealthykids.com) which:

“challenges software developers, game designers, students, and other innovators to develop fun and engaging software tools and games that drive children, especially “tweens” (ages 9-12) – directly or through their parents – to eat better and be more physically active.”

It is truly amazing to see some of the software applications developed to help kids and adults manage their energy (calories), explore the food pyramid and learn more about healthy nutrition and fitness. From virtual worlds (Nerdel’s 3-D World) and games to IPhone applications, there are lots of novel and helpful ideas. Many of these applications have merged education with entertainment-edutainment, a wonderful way to keep the attention of both child and adult.

Encouraging this form of technology, edutainment, is a natural way to improve the information transfer to both children and adults so that they can make better decisions about what they eat and learn how exercise is can be so beneficial. This is part of the plan. Remember, its up to us to make it happen. We can control the portion sizes and calorie intakes of our children. We can motivate our kids to become more fit. Its up to us!

Check out the apps at Apps for Healthy Kids. You can click on each of the links and try each application.There is public voting for your favorites (like American Idol)-after you register! There is also judging by an illustrious panel of experts in gaming, education, health and nutrition. The judging and voting started on July 14th and continues through August 14th.

My friends, stay fit and healthy The New Nerdel Way.

Don’t forget to take a trip to the Planet Zendel to see the Planet Earth Museum! Walk inside a Food Pyramid, learn about food, nutrition and fitness and lots more adventures! Nerdel’s 3-D Virtual World.

1. Salt (“sodium”): Eat less-1500mg per day! Lots of evidence that salt, a combination of sodium and chloride, is associated with the development of high blood pressure and subsequent heart disease. Recommendation: limit your sodium intake to 1500mg per day by limiting processed foods that are high in sodium like yeast breads, chicken, chicken mixed dishes, pizza, pasta and pasta dishes, cold cuts, condiments, Mexican mixed dishes, franks, bacon, ribs, cheese, grain based desserts, soups, beef and beef mixed dishes. Marination and injection of salt into poultry, port and fish are also causes of “excessive” sodium levels in foods. In 2005, the total daily sodium intake was suggested to be 2300 mg. In 2010, this has been reduced to 1500mg. This is a serious decrease!
2. Milk: Drink and eat more low fat (or zero fat) dairy products. According to statistics (NHANES) , there is an under-consumption of milk and dairy products in U.S. children and adults.  There is apparently no relationship between milk intake and weight control, however other very important qualities of milk do exist (e.g. improves children’s bone health, inversely related to heart disease and Type 2 diabetes). Milk and other dairy products do contain saturated fats so the recommendation is for children and adolescents to consume low or zero fat dairy products daily ( 2 cups for children ages 2-8; 3 cups for children 9 years and older). For those vegetarians, and individuals that do not consume milk or dairy products, it is very important to find alternative dietary sources of the following: protein, calcium, potassium, magnesium, Vitamin D and Vitamin A.
3. Fiber:  Eat more!  Eating dietary fiber can protect against heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes,  can help digestion and is associated with good health. Fiber is underconsumed in the United States. Good sources of fiber include plant foods (fruits and vegetables), whole grain products, beans, nuts and peas.
4. Whole Grains: Eat more! Just like fiber, Americans are not eating enough whole grain products. Consuming whole grains can protect against heart disease and type 2 diabetes and can help lower body weight. It’s not enough to eat “grains.” Make it whole grain!!
5.  Vegetables and Fruits: Eat a minimum of five servings a day! Most of the research indicates a beneficial effect from fruits and veggies at or over the five servings per day mark. An inverse relationship with some cancers, decreased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and decreased weight gain are just some of the benefits. Plant based foods are: lower in calorie, loaded with nutrients and antioxidants, and do not contain the dreaded SoFAS!

So lets review:

1. Salt: Eat less-only 1500mg per day (down from 2300mg perday)
2. Milk: drink and eat more low/zero fat dairy
3. Fiber: eat more
4. Whole grains: eat more
5. Vegetables and Fruits: eat no less than five servings a day
6. SoFAS: eat  less of the solid (saturated) fats and use and consume less added sugars
7. Plant foods-eat much more
8. Portion Control-Avoid the temptation to eat more outside of the home; eat less calories
9. Snacking-eat more nutrient dense and less processed foods
10. Television-don’t watch while eating!
11. Fats: eat more monos and polys and much less saturated fats

 This has been part two of our ongoing evaluation of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. So far, its an obvious conclusion-cut way down on the bad fats, added sugars, refined starches, salt and TV.  Add more plant based foods, fish and whole grains.  And decrease the portion sizes!!! It all comes down to simple questions-do you want to get and stay healthy? Do you want your children to be healthy and grow up to be healthy adults? Can you do it-Yes We Can!!!

My friend’s, stay fit and healthy The New Nerdel Way!

1. Lower intake of SoFAS (added sugars and solid fats): If you have read my columns, you will remember that I have been a big proponent for eating more vegetables, fruits, high-fiber whole grains, low-fat (and zero fat) milk and dairy products, and seafood. And I have always recommended that we decrease the added sugars, solid fats, refined grains (processed starches) and sodium. Well my friends, the gurus agree- we are eating too many SoFAS and not enough plant foods and fish.  According to the DGA 2010, these SoFAS contribute about 35% of the calories in the typical American adult and child diet. Solution-cut  these SoFAS down and out and make room for healthier foods.
2. Reduce the calorie intake: Our portion sizes have grown to enormous sizes over the past five years. The term super-size has become the norm instead of on an occasion. Also as noted in many studies, there is an inverse relationship between calorie intake and longevity.
3. Increase physical activity-does this need explanation? Our preschoolers are running, jumping and playing. But this seems to decrease as kids grow. A recent study found a big drop off in physical activity in the pre teens and teens. And adults are also in the low end of the exercise spectrum.
4. Eat more low (or zero) fat dairy- Moderate evidence indicates that the intake of milk and milk products is linked to improved bone health in children Moderate evidence shows that intake of milk and milk products are inversely associated with cardiovascular disease. A moderate body of evidence suggests an inverse relationship between the intake of milk and milk products and blood pressure. Moderate evidence shows that milk and milk products are associated with a lower incidence of type 2 diabetes in adults. Dietary guidance has recommended reduction in dairy fats because of they contain high levels of saturated fats and cholesterol. Fat-free dairy products are devoid of saturated fats, but still contain protein, calcium, and the other nutrients found in milk products. Low fat dairy still has some saturated fats.
5. Eat less: leans meats and poultry(saturated fats): replacing SFA with unsaturated fats is more effective in decreasing CVD risk than is reducing total fat intake and consumption of n-3 fatty acids from seafood and plant sources has a significant cardio-protective effect and decreases cardiovascular mortality. Eat more plant based foods and seafood. Fats that come from seafood and plants (mono and polyunsaturated fats) have a positive effect on cardiovascular and metabolic (diabetes, cancer, etc.) diseases
6. Lower your salt intake: Excessive sodium intake, especially when accompanied by inadequate potassium intake, raises blood pressure. Adverse effects of sodium on blood pressure appear to begin early in life. Excess sodium intake has been linked to an increased incidence of gastric cancer. Children and adults should lower their sodium intake as much as possible by consuming fewer processed foods that are high in sodium, and by using little or no salt when preparing or eating foods. The major sources of sodium intake among the US population are yeast breads; chicken and chicken mixed dishes; pizza; pasta and pasta dishes; cold cuts; condiments; Mexican mixed dishes; sausage, franks, bacon, and ribs; regular cheese; grain-based desserts; soups; and beef and beef mixed dishes.
7. Eat more veggies, fruits, nuts, whole grains, seeds, and beans. Eat very little refined grains(processed starches)-that’s white products in general (white rice, white bread, etc.). Refined products offer only calories and sugar and little in the way of nutrients. There is no health benefit (apart from the calories that supply energy) from eating refined products. In fact, refined products have been associated with a higher glycemic index.  Whole grain intake, which includes cereal fiber, protects against cardiovascular disease is associated with a reduced incidence of type 2 diabetes, and is associated with a lower body weight.  Dietary fiber is intrinsic and intact in plants, helps provide satiety, and is important in promoting healthy laxation. Diets high in fiber also have been linked to reduced risk of diabetes, colon cancer, obesity, other chronic diseases and have been linked to lower body weights. There is a moderate inverse relationship between vegetable and fruit consumption with myocardial infarction and stroke, with significantly larger, positive effects noted above five servings of vegetables and fruits per day.
8. Individuals are encouraged to drink water and other fluids with few or no calories.

My friends, this is TMI, or for those non texters out there, too much information, for just one article.  So over the next few articles, I will cover more of the meat and potatoes-or to put it into current lingo-salmon and brown rice. Is there any “bottom line” theory? Yes:

Lower: the calories, the saturated fat, the added sugar and the salt, highly sweetened/caloric beverages.

Increase: the plants (veggies, fruits, nuts and seeds), low ( zero) fat dairy, fish, water (and other fluids with few or no calories) and the exercise.

Stay tuned for part two-much more information and specifics-and of course my Nerdel News spin-to cut through the tedious content and give you a bottom line that you can take away!

Stay fit and healthy The New Nerdel Way.

What are SoFAS:

Solid fats—Fats that are usually not liquid at room temperature. Solid fats are found in most animal foods but also can be made from vegetable oils through hydrogenation. Some common solid fats include: butter, beef fat (tallow, suet), chicken fat, pork fat (lard), stick margarine, and shortening. Foods high in solid fats include: many cheeses, creams, whole milk, ice creams, well-marbled cuts of meats, regular ground beef, bacon, sausages, poultry skin, and many baked goods (such as cookies, crackers, doughnuts, pastries, and croissants). Most solid fats contain saturated fats, cholesterol and/or trans fats, and have little or no monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats.

Added sugars—Sugars, syrups, and other caloric sweeteners that are added to foods during processing, preparation, or consumed separately. Added sugars do not include naturally occurring sugars such as those in milk or fruits. Names for added sugars include: brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, fruit juice concentrates, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, invert sugar, lactose, maltose, malt syrup, molasses, raw sugar, turbinado sugar, trebalose, and sucrose.