NUTRITION & PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Get outside and enjoy our local parks and forests. Exercising outdoors is fun and free. You'll improve your own healthy lifestyle. And the planet will thank you for it.
– Alison Sweeney, The Biggest Loser

What You Should Know...

Nutrition
Did you know that food runs your body just like gas runs a car? Without food, you would not have enough energy to play outside or walk around school. Eating foods like fruits, vegetables, and grains gives your body energy to keep you moving all day.

Some foods are better than others for your body. Foods like chips, cookies and candy may taste good, but they do not have the vitamins your body needs. If you want a snack, you should eat healthier foods like fruits, which can help make your body stronger.

Liquids are also very important in keeping your body healthy. You need to drink water everyday in order to stay alive. Foods like fruits and vegetables have a lot of water already in them. Milk is another great way to get water and it also contains calcium that helps to make your bones stronger. The better kinds of food you eat, the more energy you will have to play!

Physical activity
You probably exercise everyday and you don't even know it! Just walking to school or the bus stop helps keep your body healthy.

The food that you eat gives your body energy to move. When you exercise, you make your bones stronger and build muscles. You can exercise inside or outside, whether it is sunny or raining. Just tying your shoes makes your body stronger!

So run around, play games, and be active!

What You Can Do...

Eat right: Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and drink lots of milk and water. It will make your body stronger!

Move around: Being active is fun! Play sports, go to the playground, or jump on the trampoline.

Play with others: Play games with your friends. Activities like tag, kickball and dancing are fun ways to be active with others.

To Know More...

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
www.smallstep.gov
www.healthierus.gov