Fall Health and Wellness 2022

We spoke with the Houston County
Board of Education’s very own Director of
School Nutrition Meredith Potter for the details.
Potter is a registered dietician and is entering
her 14th year of school nutrition. She said she
has found her home in what she does.
“A healthy diet for kids of any age just
requires balance,” Potter said. “Certainly, that’s
difficult sometimes, to get kids to eat different
foods.
“Introducing food that may not be as
common to the kids, along with food they’re
comfortable with, can increase the chance they’ll
try something new. Also, we’ve found that when
other kids choose something in the lunch line,
their friends are more likely to try something
new, too. Sometimes it’s easier for kids to select
new and different foods at school than it may be
at home, because they have their friends around
them who may be trying it.”
Difficulty aside, Potter cites the USDA’s
MyPlate, calling it “the model for anyone’s diet.”
It includes grains, dairy, proteins, fruits and
vegetables.
“Lean meats — chicken, ham — along
with the fresh green beans we have today, and a
side of fruit, paired with milk and a whole grain
roll,” Potter said. “That would be an example of
something that would be a great option for kids.”
Children, and even adults for that matter,
aiming for a balance among these food groups
will find themselves eating a healthier diet. For
many children, two of their three meals during a
school year come from the school itself.
Potter said they are on the job to serve
30,000 meals a day, and all of them are made to
provide health and nutrition to the children in
their care, offering hot meals, salads and a variety
of fruits and veggies.
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