As we all know, living a healthy lifestyle is extremely important for everyone! In order to be able to ensure that you are leading a healthy life and lifestyle, it is important to find a balance between proper nutrition, which includes nutrient-rich foods like dairy, and being physically active for at least 60 minutes a day. One great way for the entire family to build upon those healthy habits is to get involved in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program.
Launched by National Dairy Council (NDC) and the National Football League (NFL) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Fuel Up to Play 60 empowers youth to take action to improve nutrition and physical activity at their school and for their own health. Designed to educate students through a “playbook“, Fuel Up to Play 60 encourages active playtime for all ability levels and promotes USDA MyPlate nutrition guidelines, like those in the National School Breakfast and National School Lunch programs. Foods including, low-fat and fat-free dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains contain vitamins, minerals and more, for proper growth. Milk alone has 13 essential nutrients, including, protein, zinc, selenium, vitamin A and vitamin D, which contribute to a healthy immune system as well as calcium and Vitamin D for building strong bones.
Access to and understanding how food and activity supports both mental and physical wellness, empowers youth to make choices that affect their health and reduce risks for chronic disease for a lifetime. The ultimate goal of the Fuel Up to Play 60 program is to ensure opportunities created at school are sustainable, making it possible for children to be physically active and choose tasty, nutrient-rich foods throughout the school environment.
In Indiana, nearly 70% of schools are enrolled in the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. Fuel Up to Play 60 provides a number of great opportunities for schools. Not only does the program allow for students to learn leadership skills, but there are also opportunities for grant funding to help support school and district health and wellness initiatives.
Additionally, there are a number of additional resources such as nutrition and physical activity lesson plans, school standards alignment, and video examples of Indiana Fuel Up to Play 60 school activations. Click here to learn more about Fuel Up to Play 60 and access more information and resources.