Winning videos show how kids, adults can add more fruits, vegetables to their diets
December 29, 2011
By Rita R. Robison
The winners of the MyPlate Fruits and Veggies Video Challenge show consumers of all ages innovative ways to "make half your plate fruits and vegetables."
Tips for Kids
1st Place: On the Go Snack Boxes – You can have a healthy option by creating easy to make snack boxes to put in your backpack. A busy student shares how she and her mom wash and cut up a variety of fruits and veggies and store them in individual snack boxes.
2nd Place: Let's Get Involved – A fun way to get your children excited about fruits and vegetables is let them select the fruits and vegetables they eat.
Popular Choice: The Fruit and Veggie Pokey! – These students share their tips for eating more fruits and vegetables while they dance to the "Hokey, Pokey Song."
Tips When Eating at Home
1st Place: Wrap Rap – A delicious and nutritious wrap is a great way to get more fruits and vegetables. A rapper provides us with an easy to remember "wrap" song to encourage us to make half our plates fruits and vegetables.
2nd Place: Eating fruits and veggies without straining your budget – Seasonal, local, and grow-your-own options are good ways to eat more fruits and veggies. This student provides some creative ways to stretch your dollar.
Popular Choice: My Tip: "Think Vegetables First" – A mom shares how she changed the meals for her family. Think vegetables first when planning a meal and add the rest of the foods to complement the vegetables.
Tips When Eating Away From Home
1st Place: Substitution and Replace...A story of Give and Take – A mom discovers her sons have been hiding junk food and avoiding more nutritional fruits and veggies. Through substitution and replacement her sons discover a healthier way to eat.
2nd Place: Pack Your Lunch Bag with Fruits and Veggies! – Here are some tips for workers/students on the go who want to make sure they fill half their plate – or lunch bag – with fruits and veggies. It saves money and calories.
Popular Choice: Richmond Avenue Café – Kids can make "make half your plate fruits and vegetables" when they eat out, too. A young student applies what he learned in health class at the Richmond Avenue School about healthy eating.
In September, U.S. Department of Agriculture asked individuals and teams to submit videos that provide innovative, easy, and practical tips on how to "make half your plate fruits and vegetables." The winners will divide $9,000 in prize money.
The videos are featured on ChooseMyPlate.gov. MyPlate is the USDA’s new icon that illustrates the five food groups, which are the building blocks for a healthy diet.
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