Santa Claus and the Dietitian Santa's List of Healthy Resources for Children and Families

Santa Claus is a gentle and kind older man. He spends most of his days reading letters and granting wishes from children all over the world. Some children ask for toys, while others ask for food, health, family and peace.

Santa has helpers in every country across the globe. One day Santa Claus called me to ask if I could help with the letters from children who were hungry, overweight, had food allergies or other dietary concerns. I was honored to be one of the first dietitians to become Santa’s helper.

We showed the children “Let’s Move” and they became more active.

We gave the children a special plate, called “MyPlate” and they started to eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

We shared the “Kids Eat Right” messages and the children became more involved in the family food choices and preparation.

We told the families about the “Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics”, so children with special dietary needs could find help.

At the end of the day, Santa Claus and I sat down with some hot cocoa and a bowl full of fruit. We smiled knowing we were able to answer the wishes of so many children.

Our work was not done; we knew there would be more letters from children needing our help.

Have a Happy Holiday and a Healthy New Year
 - Santa Claus and the Dietitian

Santa's List of Healthy Resources  for Children and Families
	Let’s Move  is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in our schools. Ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food. And, helping children become more physically active.
	Choose MyPlate.  The website features practical information and tips to help Americans build healthier diets.
	Kids Eat Right your source for scientifically-based health and nutrition information you can trust to help your child grow healthy. As a parent or caretaker you need reliable resources and you can find them here, backed by the expertise of nutrition professionals.
	Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is your source for trustworthy, science-based food and nutrition information. The worlds largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, AND is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.
	When you donate to Feeding America, you are doing more than helping provide meals. You are sending hope and joy to hard working families that are struggling with the difficult decision of whether to pay the bills or pay for groceries.
	Action for Healthy Kids,  believe there are ways to reduce and prevent childhood obesity and undernourishment. Learn how Action for Healthy Kids is working with schools, families and communities to help our kids learn to be healthier and be ready to learn.
	Healthy Children  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and its member pediatricians dedicate their efforts and resources to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. Healthy Children - Nutrition; Food Allergies in Children
	Team Nutrition; Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ Materials. Campaign launched by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to encourage and teach children, parents, and caregivers to eat healthy and be physically active every day. Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ is about making America's children healthier. It's about practical suggestions that will help you motivate children and their caregivers to eat healthy and be active. Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ Campaign messages and materials are fun for children and informative for caregivers. Building Blocks for Fun and Healthy Meals; Fact Sheets For Healthier School Meals
	We Can. The We Can! GO, SLOW, and WHOA Foods fact sheet (pdf) can be posted on the refrigerator or used when grocery shopping. The We Can! Parent Tips - Snack (pdf) 100 Calories or Less tip sheet can help consumers choose vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat (1 percent) milk for healthier snacks.
	Fruits and Veggies More Matters
	National Dairy Council® (NDC); Child Nutrition; Fuel Up To Play 60 sponsored by National Dairy Council and the National Football League, in collaboration with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school program that encourages the availability and consumption of nutrient-rich foods, along with at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
	The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946.
	The School Breakfast Program (SBP) provides cash assistance to States to operate nonprofit breakfast programs in schools and residential childcare institutions. The program is administered at the Federal level by FNS. State education agencies administer the SBP at the State level, and local school food authorities operate it in schools.