Get Healthy With N-MUSD's Nutrition Classes

The Newport-Mesa Unified School District is putting a big emphasis on healthy living by encouraging parents to attend its upcoming nutrition classes.

The classes are part of the federally-funded “Network for a Healthy California”, which is trying to motivate Californians to eat more fruits and vegetables, as well exercise daily. The classes make up a five-week course that aims to teach parents proper portion size, nutrition label reading, what to look for and buy while grocery shopping, healthy tips for restaurant eating, as well as familiarization with the new MyPlate icon, which recently took the place of the well-known food pyramid.

“We hope to have the parents have a better understanding of the types of food and the quality of food that kids need for growth and for good health,” said Geoff Ianniello, who teaches the district classes. “We hope to have our kids be healthier. And not only our kids, but their families as well.”

Each parent nutrition class will have an hour of instruction, followed by an hour-long cooking demonstration, in which parents will learn a healthy recipe.

The district is promoting the new MyPlate icon, which illustrates ideal portions for a well-rounded meal. The icon can now be seen on the food delivery trucks for the school district, which they hope will help the community become familiarized with it.

While the classes take place in Costa Mesa, Ianniello said parents from any school are welcome.

The classes take place on the following dates:

Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2011

Whittier Elementary

1800 Whittier Avenue - Costa Mesa

8:15 - 10:15 a.m.

Friday, Jan. 13, 2012

Pomona Elementary

2051 Pomona Avenue - Costa Mesa

8:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Rea Elementary

661 Hamilton - Costa Mesa

8:45 - 10:30 a.m.

To register, email Geoff Ianniello at gianniello@nmusd.us.