Event highlights nutrition’s role in health

NORTH KINGSTOWN – March begins Nutrition Month, and with the help sponsorships by Coastway Community Bank and Coventry Credit Union and Whole Foods, author and nutritionist Joy Feldman is helping to deliver the message of the importance of good nutrition to Rhode Island schoolchildren. In the last year, Feldman has conducted programs in more than 45 schools and libraries, including traveling to New York City and Florida.
The message is based on her book, “Is Your Hair Made of Donuts,” to help children learn about the relationship between good nutrition and health – and to help them stay away from junk food. Additional workshops are planned with the Boys & Girls Clubs of East Providence and the Hasbro Children’s Hospital, where she will be part of a healthy cafeteria day and display her work for employees.
“While walking through the airport for a very early morning departure, I was surprised when I saw young people buying and eating candy, sugary treats, donuts, drinking sodas and neon-colored liquids and consuming all sorts of unhealthy things,” Feldman said, explaining the genesis of her campaign. “Not 15 minutes later, I saw those same children in various stages of meltdowns, tantrums, misbehavior, and general chaos. It was at that point I knew that I wanted – and needed – to help teach children make healthier food choices.”
Her website, www.isyourhairmadeofdonuts.com, includes a teacher’s guide. Plans are now underway to develop a mentoring program for middle and senior high school students to enable them to work with elementary schools around healthy food choices and activities.

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