Success StoryWhat is in Your Cup?



What is in Your Cup?

Author: Judy Stephens

Planning Unit: Laurel County CES

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

What is in Your Cup?

Author: Judy Stephens

Major Program: Food and Nutrition

 

The CDC reports that 3 in 5 Americans, aged 2 years and older, exceed the recommendation to consume less than 10% of their total daily calories from added sugars on a given day of which 24% comes from sugary drinks and 11% from coffee and tea. The Laurel County Nutrition Education Program (NEP) Assistant noticed that participants in one group were consistently bringing sugar-sweetened beverages to classes.

To educate participants on creative ways to limit added sugars, the NEP Assistant taught the lesson “Rethink Your Drink” as part of a 9-week nutrition education series delivered to limited-resource families using the University of Kentucky Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum.  In addition to limiting added sugar, the program teaches food resource management, physical activity, food preparation, and food safety skills.

Participants were asked to bring only water to lessons and encouraged to try using fruit to enhance their water. Children attending the program with their parents were given cups with fresh blueberries, strawberries, and oranges at the bottom of the cup covered by crushed ice and water. This enticed the children to drink the water before eating the fruit.

Following the lesson, participants continued to bring water or fruit-infused water to the weekly classes. Evaluation results showed that 57% of participants were consuming less sodas in their diet at the conclusion of the program.






Stories by Judy Stephens


MyPlate: More Fruits & Veggies Please

MyPlate: More Fruits & Veggies Please

about 1 years ago by Judy Stephens

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov/nutrition/state-and-local-strat... Read More


Stories by Laurel County CES


Growing Future Leaders

Growing Future Leaders

about 1 years ago by Elizabeth Easley

Voting is an indicator of community and civic engagement. According to the US Census Bureau, 67% of ... Read More


Laurel County 4-H Are SET Excited

Laurel County 4-H Are SET Excited

about 1 years ago by Elizabeth Easley

The Problem:According to the Kentucky Department of Education, in 2021 on average, 51% of elementary... Read More