By Tess Malijenovsky
Since the Beaufort County School District was invited last month, Oct. 17, to the White House lawn for winning the Healthier U.S. School Challenge award, their November newsletter continues to focus on healthy snacks and exercise as an initiative.

[caption id="attachment_4041" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Beaufort Elementary School students dress up as health foods to bring awareness at lunchtime."]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/healthy-foods-BES-2.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-4041" title="healthy foods BES 2" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/healthy-foods-BES-2-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>[/caption]

Schools can take a leadership role in helping students learn how to make healthier eating and active lifestyle choices, according to Michelle Obama. School meals are now trying to fill half the plates with fruits and vegetables, make half the grains whole grains, and switching to fat free or 1 percent milk rather than whole. Also, kids are encouraged to drink water instead of sugary drinks and to become aware of high sodium levels in soups, breads and frozen meals.
The November newsletter featured a cooking recipe for herb roasted vegetables and also a produce of the month featuring sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes have a high source of Vitamins A and C, fiber, potassium, copper and manganese. Research shows that sweet potatoes can help stabilize and lower blood sugar. They’re also high in fiber, which promotes a healthy digestive tract, and virtually fat and cholesterol free. The school district also sent out two long lists of healthy snacks for kids from yogurt parfaits to fruit and cheese kabobs.
Schools all over the county have tuned into this health initiative by teaching students more about healthy choices in an interactive and fun way. Beaufort Elementary School students dressed up as different health foods during lunchtime. The children learned cheers and songs expressing their feeling about healthy choices. Schools can now help teach health consciousness in a positive light for lifelong positive changes in students.