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Division of Nutrition Assistance
Be Heart Smart
Directions for Design
Two large red hearts decorated as valentines reinforce the message of
how to keep a heart healthy: eat well, exercise regularly, and don't
smoke. The valentine verse reads, "Will you be my valentine
and follow these tips for all time?"
Suggested Materials
- Red construction paper for the hearts and a white background
- A border made of small valentines
- A cupid drawn or printed and colored from a computer graphic
Learning Activities
1. Identify factors that can lead to heart disease.
Ask students whether they know anyone who has heart disease. Note that heart disease is the number one cause of death. Students can follow these guidelines to become heart smart:
- Eat enough calories for growth, but do not overeat. Extra calories
are stored as fat. Discuss why students should not diet.
- Become and stay physically active. Have students work in teams to
write down ways they can become more physically active at home, school,
and play.
- Eat a variety of foods that are lower in fat and saturated fat, such as
fat-free (or skim) milk.
- Never begin smoking.
2. Identify healthier food choices.
- Eat less processed meat that is high in fat and salt.
- Drink low-fat or fat-free (skim) milk.
- Eat three servings of vegetables daily.
- Eat two servings of fruits daily.
- Drink more water, juice, or skim milk, and less soft drinks.
- Eat more whole-grain foods daily.
- Eat dried peas and beans three to four times each week.
3. Make a cafeteria checklist.
Ask the school food service manager for lunch (and if desired, breakfast)
menus for one week. Review the menus and discuss these questions:
- How many times is processed meat served each week?
- Is low-fat or fat-free milk offered at school?
- How many servings of fruits and vegetables could a student eat each day
at school?
- What food items contain whole-grained or part whole-grained foods?
- How often are dried peas and beans served each week?
After the review, students should discuss the fact that eating the meals
offered at school will help them to become heart smart.
4. Visit these Web sites.
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