Running head: Choose my plate

PPE 301: Health Literacy for Schools

Arizona State University
Choose My Plate
Diana Olivarria
Dr. Hesse

Choose my plate

Choose my plate

While taking the school I attend into consideration along with factors such as the
community, economic status and the population that attends the school. It was possible to have
an idea of how much the school follows the requirements for the National Standards for school
meals. As well as how much nutrition intake a child would have by eating the offered breakfast
and lunch for one day.
National Standards for school meals
In terms of meeting the requirements by the National Standards for school meals, Sierra
Verde Elementary does meet most of the requirements. According to the National Standards for
school and meals the school must offer a side of fruit and vegetables (USDA, 2012). They do this
by having a side of either one to accompany the main meal as well as offering students to serve
themselves vegetables with a salad bar. As one can see, the student mentioned on the Food
Tracker chose to have mixed vegetables as a side for lunch with the choice to have a fruit cup
instead and full access to the salad bar (SuperTracker, 2016). In regards to breakfast, the
standards require for the student to be offered daily meat or meat alternate as well as offering
fruit as well. In regard to Sierra Verde, they offer a choice of turkey, ham, and egg and cheese
sandwich along with a side of fruit cup. These are just a few examples but it is safe to say that
Sierra Verde Elementary does follow guidelines set by the National Standards for school meals.
Dietary Guideline for Americans
If a child were to consume the breakfast and lunch offered at Sierra Verde Elementary
they would be at a good balance depending on what they would eat for dinner and the portion
given to them during breakfast and lunch. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans,
boys from ages 9 to 13 years old who are moderately active should be consuming anywhere from

Choose my plate

1,800 calories to 2,200 calories. In regards to a student who ate breakfast and lunch for the day,
according to Food Tracker has eaten about 825 calories without taking portions into
consideration. This might seem like its way off or too little an amount, however it should be
taken into consideration that portion size is not exact as well as the fact that students are given
the choice to purchase a second serving of lunch as well as any side snacks that include rice
krispy bars, baked chips and so on. One fact that is concerning is the students sodium intake,
according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, boys ages 6-11 should be consuming about
3,000 milligrams per day (2010). However with the breakfast and lunch given, this particular
student consumed 1812 mg. Although it is not pass the limit, it takes up most of what they are
allowed without taking dinner and snacks into consideration. Another observation made from the
schools lunch calendar was how most of the foods offered for lunch tend to contain a lot of
sodium. An example of this is the option of an Italian sand which on a pretzel bun. Although the
sand which itself was not offered as a whole on Food Tracker, it was still possible to estimate its
level of sodium by taking the ingredients apart which comes to a total of 1762 mg of sodium for
the sand which alone with no side or drink (SuperTracker, 2016). This is concerning because
high sodium intake can lead to high blood pressure and eventually to heart disease. This is in no
way stating that because of the school that is what will happen to the student, however it is
setting the course for that path if not controlled efficiently.
Possible changes
In view of what is being offered at Sierra Verde Elementary, they seem to be following
guidelines. However there are a few things I would change in order to expand on those
guidelines and offer a balanced meal. To begin with portion sizes should be taken into
consideration, so I would consider the present choice that students have to purchase second

Choose my plate

servings. If anything the portion size for the main meal and the sides should be balanced. One
major aspect I have observed is how students are given the choice to get a serving at the salad
bar, which does not happen often. I would change this by making it mandatory for students to
serve themselves vegetables along with their meal. Another thing I would look into is the sodium
intake that students are receiving. As well as research what ingredients can be used as a
substitute for salt. Lastly, I would balance the days in which to serve pizza from any restaurant.
At the moment it is offered every Monday and although it is possible to have meals such as that
it is also important to keep a balance.
Reflection
Overall, this assignment or the applications and information available made me aware of
what is being served to students and while it looks good on the calendar, the choices provided
give certain combinations that can be considered counterproductive toward promoting health.
Sierra Verde does a great job of offering nutritious meals, however it seems like balance is not
being taken into consideration as much as it should be. In regards to my how this could impact
my students in and out of the classroom, I believe it could affect their activeness and motivation
in the classroom as well as a combination of what they ate at school and what they will eat at
home could be a bad combination of foods to have in one day. Above all, their food intake
impacts a students health which if not taken care of properly could lead to affecting their life as
students as well. It is crucial for schools to not just follow guidelines because they have to but
because it is in the best interest of the students attending. While the food provided should be
nutritious, kids are kids and should be given certain allowance in regards to snacks and foods
they enjoy. The only aspect to keep in mind is to as mentioned before, provide balance. By
providing balance students would be able to eat a healthy meal while enjoying it as well.

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6
References

2010 Dietary Guidelines. (2010). Retrieved April 02, 2016, from

http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2010/
SuperTracker: My Foods. My Fitness. My Health. (n.d.). Retrieved April 02, 2016, from
https://www.supertracker.usda.gov/foodtracker.aspx
USDA. (2012, January 26). Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School
Breakfast Programs. Retrieved April 2, 2016, from https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR2012-01-26/pdf/2012-1010.pdf

Criteria

Points (5) Exemplary

Points (3) Proficient

Choose my plate

SCORE:x.5
ChooseMyPlate

Introduction was well organized

and created a plan for the paper

Analysis

One breakfast and one lunch (or 2

restaurant options) were evaluated
Results reflect a hypothetical

student
Screen shot was included

Introduction

SCORE: x1

Application of

results and proposed

changes

SCORE:x1

Summary/Reflecti

on SCORE: x1

Writing

SCORE: x1

Referencing Style

SCORE:
x.5

Contained a very detailed

application of National Standards

for School Meals
Contains very detailed

applications of Dietary Guidelines

for Americans
Contains very detailed discussions
for 3 changes to improve nutrition
A summary of the current state of
the schools nutrition was
included
Summary of changes were
included
A detailed reflection regarding
how this teacher knowledge of
students impacts your students
inside and outside your classroom
Proper grammar and punctuation
is used throughout the proposal
All sentences are clear &
developed
Paper was at least 3 pages with
standard margins, font, & text size

APA style referencing used

throughout paper and on the
reference sheet
The file document name
contains
Lastname.firstname.assign#.cours
e#
This rubric was attached

Introduction was somewhat organized

and created a plan for the paper

Only one breakfast or lunch (or 1

restaurant option) was evaluated
Results reflected a hypothetical
student, but not enough information
was provided
Screen shot was included, but
incomplete
Contained a somewhat detailed
application of National Standards for
School Meals
Contained somewhat detailed
applications of Dietary Guidelines for
Americans
Contains somewhat detailed
discussions only 2 changes to improve
nutrition
A summary of the current state of the
school in terms of nutrition was
included
but did not align with paper
A summary of the proposed changes
was included but did not align with
paper
A general reflection of how this data
impacts your students
Most grammar and correct punctuation
is used throughout the proposal
Most sentences are clear & developed
Paper was 1-3 pages with standard
margins, font, and size of text

APA style referencing mostly used

throughout the paper and on the
reference sheet with some errors
The file name somewhat contains the
Lastname.firstname.assignment#.cour
e#
This rubric was added but not at the
end

Choose my plate