Real Mom Nutrition
A no-judgments zone about feeding a family.
Wellness Week is an easy, low cost program for students that encourages activity and healthy eating. Here are free printables to make it easy! For many years, my sons’ school held a Health Challenge every spring. It was created by one of the parents and was a hugely popular program. Kids tracked habits like how …
School food CAN be tasty, healthy, and appealing to kids! Here’s how one mom changed things for the better at her kids’ school. My friend Wende Hageman is a school food champion. She would probably laugh off this label, waving it away with an “Oh, please!” But that’s what she is, so I wanted to …
Here’s how one school is helping to feed families in their community–and teaching students about compassion and service to others. This might work in your school too! I have a very inspiring friend. She’s a special education teacher at an elementary school and the most giving person I know. Several years ago, she and the …
If you’re a rookie PTA parent, here’s my very best advice on pitching in, getting stuff done, creating change–and avoiding the drama! I remember my very first PTA meeting eight years ago. I was a brand new kindergarten parent, full of the kind of nerdy enthusiasm I specialize in. As a dietitian, I had visions …
For a lot of people, the idea of a healthy concession stand triggers this reaction: Here come the fun police to take everyone’s hot dogs away! But you know me: I try very hard not to be the fun police. I’m also a realist. I know that concession stands generate much-needed funds for sports leagues and …
If you’re looking for a healthy Valentine’s Day class party idea, have a “Red Tasting Party” and let kids sample all kinds of red fruits and veggies. If you’re looking for a healthy Valentine’s Day class party idea, here’s one that’s especially fun for preschool or young grade school children: Have a “Red Tasting Party” with …
You know those moms who are always volunteering to coordinate the classroom parties? Guilty as charged. I’ve got a flexible schedule that allows for it–and frankly, I like to steer the food away from frosted cupcakes and candy. I’m not the fun police. I just think that especially for Halloween, the excesses of trick-or-treating call for a …
I’m so happy to have a guest post today from my friend Bettina Siegel. She’s the woman behind the blog The Lunch Tray, who tirelessly advocates for better food in schools, whether it’s getting the USDA to change its policy on using “pink slime” in school food ground beef or getting McDonald’s to scrap a “nutrition education” program in schools. …
Here’s what people were reading, sharing, and liking the most here at Real Mom Nutrition this year: #1: The Truth About Fruit Snacks A long-time pet peeve of mine: the “heath halo” that gummy fruit snacks have somehow achieved. Sure, my kids like them too, but they’re more candy than “fruit” or “snack”. I didn’t think that …
Here’s a step-by-step plan for hosting a Walk and Bike To School Day at your child’s school. This is an easy and low-cost event that gets students active! If you’re looking for an easy, low-cost wellness idea for your school, plan a Walk and Bike to School Day. The National Center for Safe Routes to Schools …
Sugary school breakfasts have long been a pet peeve of mine (read: The Trouble With School Breakfast). It never made sense to me: If there are limits to things like sodium, saturated fat, and calories in school food, why are there no standards set for added sugar? Why is my child able to walk through the line and pick up …
Last week, a mom wrote to me with a problem: At curriculum night, her son’s fifth grade teachers announced that students would be given soda as a weekly reward for good behavior. This mom was (understandably) upset. But she didn’t know what to do. She was worried about speaking up, worried about her son being pegged as “the boy with …
