Nutrition education plays a crucial role in shaping healthy eating habits, especially when tailored to various age groups and needs. The following resources provide valuable tools for educators, caregivers, and health professionals to integrate nutrition concepts into everyday learning. From kindergarten to adulthood, these materials offer creative and engaging ways to promote balanced diets, making nutrition education accessible and enjoyable for all.
Nifty Nutrition with Skill Integration Activities – Kindergarten (1998)
Created by the Arkansas NET Program, this resource offers engaging lessons and activities that align with the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) 9 Objectives. Each skill is clearly identified with specific codes that relate to the SAT 9. The Nifty program provides a series of hands-on learning experiences, integrating food-related activities with language arts, reading, and math to teach essential nutrition concepts. Children are encouraged to explore a variety of foods, establishing a strong foundation for healthy eating habits. This initiative fosters collaboration between the cafeteria and classroom, with Child Nutrition supplying the food for these educational experiences.
Target Audience: Child Care Providers, Early Elementary Educators, Food Service Staff
Format: Video and supplementary materials
Nifty Nutrition with Skill Integration Activities – Sixth Grade (1998)
Developed by the Arkansas NET Program, this resource includes lessons and skill integration activities linked to the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) 9 Objectives. Each skill is identified with specific codes corresponding to the SAT 9. The Nifty program offers sequential learning experiences that merge hands-on food activities with language arts, reading, and math, facilitating the understanding of nutrition concepts. Students are encouraged to embrace a diverse range of foods, building a solid foundation for healthy eating habits. This program promotes teamwork between the cafeteria and classroom, with Child Nutrition providing food for the learning experience.
Target Audience: Elementary Educators, Food Service Staff
Format: Video and supplementary materials
Non-Chew Cookbook (1988)
This cookbook is designed for individuals with chewing and swallowing difficulties, featuring recipes that the whole family can enjoy. It emphasizes nutritious and tasty meals suitable for everyone, not just those with dietary restrictions.
Target Audience: Adult Day Care Providers, General Adults
Format: 200-page cookbook
Nutrition After Childbirth: Setting a Standard for Life (1993)
This program assists new mothers in maintaining the healthy habits learned during pregnancy and planning nutritious meals post-childbirth. It covers key topics such as breastfeeding and the WIC guidelines for health and nutrition. The program emphasizes the significance of breastfeeding and outlines the unique nutritional needs of breastfeeding mothers. It’s a perfect resource for clinic waiting rooms and prenatal classes.
Target Audience: Health Clinics
Format: 11-minute video
Nutrition During Pregnancy: Healthy Me, Healthy Baby (1993)
Tailored for newly pregnant women, this program outlines essential nutrition and health guidelines as per WIC recommendations. It thoroughly explains the USDA Food Guide Pyramid and presents suitable meal options and plans for pregnancy. The importance of breastfeeding and specific nutritional needs for breastfeeding mothers are highlighted. This resource is ideal for use in clinic waiting areas and prenatal classes.
Target Audience: Health Clinics
Format: 11-minute video
Play Hard, Eat Right: A Parent’s Guide to Sports Nutrition for Children (1995)
This informative resource addresses the nutritional requirements of exercising children, whether they are recreational or competitive athletes aged 6 to 12. It covers topics like growth and development, body composition, nutrient needs for active kids, ergogenic aids, and weight management. Practical tips for parents and young athletes include guidance on pregame and postgame meals, fast food options, recipes, and snack ideas. The resource also provides food frequency charts and activity records to encourage consultation with a registered dietitian for specific concerns.
Target Audience: Coaches, Parents
Format: 166-page book
Pregnancy Nutrition: Good Health for You and Your Baby (1998)
Part of the American Dietetic Association’s Nutrition Now Series, this guide simplifies healthy eating during pregnancy. It covers vital topics like weight gain, vitamin and mineral requirements, hydration, exercise, vegetarian diets, food safety, and coping with common pregnancy discomforts. The guide includes tips and checklists for creating a nutritious eating plan, as well as sample menus and recipes.
Target Audience: General Adults, Health Clinics, High School/College Students
Format: 85-page book
Pregnant and Growing (1998)
This video introduces viewers to three young women who are taking charge of their health, their babies, and their futures. They discuss the importance of good nutrition, meal planning, calcium intake, weight gain, and the impact of healthy habits on their babies’ health. The message is clear: taking care of oneself enhances the likelihood of having a healthy baby now and in the future. This resource is perfect for clinics and prenatal classes.
Target Audience: Health Clinics
Format: 13-minute video
Present Knowledge in Nutrition (1996)
The seventh edition of this reference text reflects advancements in nutrition science and its application across various disciplines. Each chapter is thoroughly updated and presented to provide valuable insights to readers. The content is organized for maximum utility as both a textbook and a reference for students, researchers, and professionals in nutrition, dietetics, and related fields.
Target Audience: Nutritionists, General Adults, Health Clinics, College Educators
Format: 684-page book
Quick and Easy Low-Fat Cooking (1998)
Part of the American Dietetic Association’s Nutrition Skills Series, this resource addresses common questions about low-fat eating. It defines different types of fats, offers tips for selecting low-fat foods, and provides easy-to-follow low-fat recipes.
Target Audience: General Adults, Health Clinics
Format: 10-minute video and instructional guide
Safe Food for You and Your Family (1996)
This essential guide to preventing foodborne illness explains how to identify hidden dangers at home and in public. It provides strategies for recognizing potentially unsafe foods and preventing contamination. Helpful tips are included for maintaining food safety at home, preparing bag lunches, and making safe choices when dining out.
Target Audience: Nutritionists, General Adults, Health Clinics, High School/College Students
Format: 151-page book
Setting the Record Straight: The Truth About Fad Diets (1999)
Developed by the Wheat Foods Council, this toolkit emphasizes the importance of balanced eating while addressing popular diets. It includes a timeline of fad diets, reviews of diet books, comparisons, an informative article for newsletters, and PowerPoint handouts for presentations.
Target Audience: Nutritionists, General Adults, Health Clinics, High School/College Students
Format: 8-minute video, guidebook, and reproducible handouts
Snacking Habits for Healthy Living (1997)
Designed for those with busy lifestyles, this practical guide demonstrates how to make snacks and mini-meals integral to a healthy diet. It provides general guidelines for snack choices and addresses specific snacking considerations for children, teens, athletes, and weight-conscious adults. The guide also offers snack ideas for individuals with diabetes and other dietary needs.
Target Audience: Nutritionists, General Adults, Health Clinics, High School/College Students
Format: 112-page book
Special Nutrition Problems of the Elderly (1996)
This video addresses various issues faced by the elderly, such as malnutrition, obesity, chewing difficulties, alcoholism, drug-food interactions, constipation, anemia, dehydration, and the emotional challenges of eating alone. It also includes an instructional resource guide featuring suggested objectives, activities, assessments, and photo-ready handouts.
Target Audience: Adult Day Care Providers
Format: 14-minute video and instructional resource guide
The Supermarket Guide: Food Choices for You and Your Family (1997)
This guide walks readers through the supermarket, offering strategies for making informed food choices. Beyond low-fat options, it provides tips on reading labels, comparison shopping, selecting quality foods, maintaining food safety, and maximizing food budgets.
Target Audience: Nutritionists, General Adults, Health Clinics, High School/College Students
Format: 120-page book
Supermarket Nutrition: Shopping for Good Health (1995)
Part of the American Dietetic Association’s Nutrition Skills Series, this resource teaches essential shopping skills, including using the Food Guide Pyramid to make informed choices, understanding food labels, and finding low-fat alternatives for favorite foods.
Target Audience: General Adults, Health Clinics
Format: 11-minute video and instructional guide
Supermarket Smarts: The 5 A Day Way (1997)
Developed by the Connecticut Departments of Public Health and Social Services, this vibrant video features 5 A Day Fiona and friends on a supermarket adventure, highlighting the taste and health benefits of fruits and vegetables. It includes quick recipes, snack ideas, and budget-friendly tips for purchasing produce.
Target Audience: Health Clinics, Parents
Format: 9-minute video
Team Nutrition – Community Nutrition Action Kit (1996)
This kit aims to deliver modern nutrition education at the community level. It provides county Extension personnel with the tools to lead a comprehensive action program focused on enhancing nutrition experiences for children. The kit includes theme-based activities for youth, families, and the broader community.
Target Audience: Educators, Cooperative Extension, Youth Organization Leaders
Format: Video, activities, handouts, and resources
Ven Y Busca Cinco al Dia en tu Supermercado (1997)
The Spanish version of Supermarket Smarts: The 5 A Day Way, developed by the Connecticut Departments of Public Health and Social Services. This engaging video features 5 A Day Fiona and her friends, guiding viewers through a supermarket adventure to explore the health benefits of fruits and vegetables. Quick recipes, snack ideas, and budgeting tips for produce shopping are included.
Target Audience: Health Clinics, Parents
Format: 11-minute video
Vitamins, Minerals, and Dietary Supplements
1996
This resource is part of the American Dietetic Association’s Nutrition Now Series, designed for individuals who are using or considering dietary supplements. It provides a comprehensive overview of the basic functions, food sources, and daily requirements for essential vitamins and minerals. The book offers clear guidance on how to meet nutritional needs through a balanced diet, while also examining when supplements may be both effective and safe. Additionally, it includes practical tips for selecting supplements, understanding label information, and evaluating nutrition claims. Readers will find advice on distinguishing between factual information and misconceptions regarding dietary supplements.
AUDIENCE: General Adult, Health Clinics, College/High School
FORMAT: 111-page book
Weight: Maintaining a Healthy Balance
1996
This educational video equips viewers with various strategies for effective weight management. It emphasizes the importance of consuming five servings of fruits and vegetables daily and incorporating exercise into their routines. Viewers will learn practical tips for shopping wisely for low-fat options, understanding food labels to determine fat content, and cooking healthier meals. The video also covers methods for maintaining a healthy weight, highlights the significance of a balanced lifestyle, and illustrates how exercise contributes to overall weight control.
AUDIENCE: General Adult, Health Clinics, High School
FORMAT: 12-minute video
Years 3-5: What Lily Learned
1991
In this insightful program, Lily, a young mother, participates in a support group with other mothers and discovers valuable insights into child development, particularly concerning her daughter, Janelle. The program covers various topics, including the ways children learn to play, the importance of allowing them to eat at their own pace, and strategies for establishing and enforcing boundaries. Viewers are taught that listening to children, fostering a sense of belonging, instilling discipline, and preparing them for school are essential responsibilities for effective parenting.
AUDIENCE: Parents, Health Clinics, General Adult, Child Care
FORMAT: 15-minute video
yourSELF
1998
Developed as part of the Team Nutrition initiative, this program is tailored for students in grades six through nine. It aims to help them understand how their dietary choices and physical activity levels today can influence their growth and long-term health. The kit is designed to introduce new information, reinforce existing knowledge, and guide students in developing practical skills for making healthy eating and activity choices. It also offers ideas for fostering a connection between the cafeteria and classroom, enhancing the overall educational experience.
AUDIENCE: Middle School Teachers, Food Service Personnel, Nutritionists
FORMAT: Teacher’s guide, student activity guide, video, reproducible handouts