Have you ever thought about the statement: You are what you eat?
            Not only is the intake of food a basic need, but eating healthy foods on
             a daily basis is important to helping your body stay fit! Staying fit has many
              benefits, a few of which are:

                         Reduced stress,
                         Increased energy levels,
                        Reduced risk for disease,
                      and Increased strength and endurance.

         Becoming fit requires a little work, however! To learn more about eating

Go to the following site to acquire the food pyramid:
http://www.nal.usda.gov:8001/py/pmap.htm

Keep a record of what you eat for one week within each area of the pyramid. Assess your food record and compare it to the number of servings recommended in the food pyramid. Share your results with each other. How did you both do?

Design seven days of healthy food menus for each other. (For some ideas, research the websites -- Cooking with Kids and/or Cooking with Kids for Dummies -- to get some ideas for nutritious recipes.) Discuss how you intend to either start or continue good eating habits. Decide if eating healthier is worth feeling less stressed, more energized, and stronger!

Most likely you have seen commercials for fast food restaurants that show foods like hamburgers, french fries, and ice cream sundaes.

Create your own commercial for a restaurant that serves only healthy foods like vegetables and fruit. Give your restaurant a clever name and share the wording with your mentor, along with some descriptions about what would be show visually. Ask your mentor if the commercial was convincing. Would your mentor choose your restaurant for a meal or two?

Getting educated about nutrition empowers you to make wise food choices, which in turn keeps you physically fit. Investigate Nutrition Insights at www.usda.gov/cnpp/insights.htm to find the answers to the following questions:

How does eating breakfast improve the quality of your diet?
Are food pyramids the same in all countries?
What role does eating nuts play in a healthy diet?

Check out the website, Too Much Soda and Family Meals, to find out what happens to your bones when you drink too much soda. Also, find out how eating with your family can improve your nutritional choices. Share this information with your mentor and decide how each of you will incorporate this information into your daily fitness plan.