Clearview has been working with Carly Armstrong, a registered dietitian and owner of Empower Nutrition & Lifestyle, to support nutritional programming in our schools. Armstrong started her Clearview Nutrition Tour' in early March, which will see her visit every school and colony school in the division to promote healthy eating, wellness and nutrition.
Working with Armstrong has been a great opportunity for Clearview to add expertise to their school nutrition programs. "We often like to say that we grow and develop our own in Clearview," says Wendy Coppock, Director of Inclusive Services, Clearview Public Schools. This is certainly true in the case of Carly Armstrong, Clearview alumni of Erskine School and Wm. E. Hay Secondary Campus. Armstrong's passion for wellness led her to pursue a post-secondary degree in nutrition and she is now a Registered Dietitian and business owner of Empower Nutrition & Lifestyle.
"We brought Carly on board to look at our nutrition programs and make suggestions to increase the understanding of healthy food options and the functionality of delivering this message to our students," says Coppock. "Carly has been, and continues to, work with our students to help them make well-informed, healthy food choices in their everyday lives."
Whether it is making power balls in school kitchens or performing sensory tests in the classroom, Armstrong strives to relay the same messaging for all schools and simply tweaks her mode of delivery and structure to suit different groups and ages. The key messages Carly shares with students are as follows:
Food neutrality - no labeling food good or bad, only positive talk about all foods. "Reflecting on what foods we could add more of, rather than what we need to take away!"
Food exploration - being excited about food and encouraging students to try new foods. "I like to tell them that I had never tried an avocado until I was a teenager and now it's one of my favourite foods!"
Introducing food terms - carbs, protein, colour. "Our eating will change as we grow and develop. Having a basic understanding of what a balanced meal could look like may help them along the way!"
"I try very hard to keep nutrition fun and interactive!" says Armstrong. "Kids probably won't remember the boring nutrition lady' but they might remember the loud nutrition lady who let us have fun with food' and maybe it encourages them to try some new foods, or at least start thinking about it!"
Coppock states that Clearview is thrilled with the excitement created by Armstrong's nutrition tour. "We are so happy to have Carly on board for our 2022-2023 school year to work with our school nutrition programs. She brings a wealth of knowledge and an infectious enthusiasm that promotes nutrition and wellness in a fun and positive manner. Students and staff love it when she visits their schools and continually ask when she is coming back. I want to thank Carly for partnering with us as we continue to move this initiative forward in all of our Clearview schools."
Armstrong will continue to promote healthy eating, wellness and nutrition as she completes her nutrition tour and contributes to Clearview's health and wellness initiatives.
This video highlights the work that Armstrong has being doing throughout the division.
For more information
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Stettler Alberta
Canada T0C 2L0
www.clearview.ab.ca
