PCYC Alternative School Students Learn the Basics of Good Eating Habits

It was a tasty way to complete a class assignment for PCYC Alternative junior and senior high school students who were learning about nutrition. They helped plan and serve a healthy and nutritious lunch to their classmates as part of their coursework. 

“Our goal is to help the student learn to make better choices in their eating habits,” said Velma Harris who teaches nutrition education to PYC junior and senior high students.

“The students usually have no idea about what is in the food they eat,” Harris said.

She starts by helping them to understand what calories, fats, and sugar are; and what is the recommended daily amount they should consume 

Most are shocked when they learn they have far exceeded the limits of the recommended amount of fat and sugar with the food choices they usually make, she said.

“They are interested in nutrition, but they do not know how to make good choices.”

They each receive a small handbook that lists nutritional values of various foods at fast food restaurants. She also teaches them how to read nutritional labels to make better-informed food choices. She also takes them grocery shopping to learn comparative shopping.

“They often think they do not like vegetables,” she said. “We try to get them to try things they have never had. They learn there are many things they can enjoy. They just have not been familiar with them.”

So, what was on the lunch menu the students helped plan for their classmates? Lean cuts of ham, turkey, and roast beef; whole grain breads; cheese cubes; lettuce leaves; tomatoes, celery and carrot sticks, olives, assorted peppers; fruit juice; and yogurt fruit parfaits.  It was a delicious ending.  Class dismissed!