Submitted Photo Pictured at left are Sinclairville Elementary School third grade students with Julie variableness, a dietetic technician who spoke to the students about good nutrition.

INCLAIRVILLE — March is National Nutrition Month which is an event sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It is a time dietetic professionals get out and spread the word about good nutrition. This year, Julie VanValkenburg, dietetic technician registered from the Chautauqua Nursing and Rehabilitation Center visited Melinda Chase’s third grade classroom.

VanValkenburg explained her role as DTR in the food service department and on the interdisciplinary team at the skilled nursing facility. The children then reviewed the USDA’s MyPlate eating tool and then played a game entitled “Go, Slow or Whoa!” Each child was provided a food model ranging from broiled fish, skim milk, baby carrots, danish and soda. Foods were divided into three categories, and children guessed if they were a Go food, one you could have any time, a slow food one to have once in a while and a whoa food, a food to reconsider and make a healthier choice.

VanValkenburg ended her presentation by providing a goody bag full of nutritional information, coupons, food journal, stickers, and activities. Since a healthy start begins at home, she encouraged the children to take the information home and share with their families.