THURSDAY

Purple/Blue Day

When you see purple or blue fruits and vegetables, think antioxidant power!  They tend to be the highest in antioxidants and help fight inflammation/boost your immune system.  They can also help improve your bodies ability to absorb calcium and other nutrients.

Fruit Options:

Blackberries, Blueberries, Plums, Purple Grapes, Raisins, Purple Figs

* A great option is 100% grape juice

* Raisins make a great addition to a trail mix

Vegetable Options:

Black Olives, Eggplant, Black Beans, Purple Cabbage, Purple Potatoes

* Olives are a great little finger food
* Adding black beans to a salad adds some great fiber and other nutrients

WEDNESDAY

Red Day

Red fruits and vegetables always seem to be a kid favorite.  They help protect the body from harmful free-radicals and protects your body against heart disease.

Fruit Options:

Cherries, Cranberries, Red Apples, Red Grapes, Raspberries, Strawberries, Watermelon, Pomegranates, Grapefruit

* Strawberries are an excellent source of the B vitamin folate

* Red apples and raspberries are an excellent sources of fiber which helps in digestive health and keeps you feeling full

*Dried cranberries make an easy snack and are a great accent to trail mix.

Vegetable Options:

Beets, Radish, Red Peppers, Red Potatoes, Tomatoes

* Red Peppers are great with a ranch or hummus dip

TUESDAY

White/Brown/Tan Day

They may be a little boring in color but white/tan/brown fruits and veggies are full of vitamins and minerals too.

Fruit Options:

Bananas, White Peaches, Dates, White Pears

* I say bananas can count as yellow or tan because when I think of a banana I think yellow.

* To add some fun to white peaches, cut them up and put them in a reusable container and sprinkle some cinnamon on top.

Vegetable Options:

Cauliflower, Mushrooms, White Corn, White Potatoes, Chick Peas

* Cauliflower s full of antioxidants, vitamin C and contains folate.  Folate is naturally present in many food and is a B vitamin that is needed to make DNA and for your body's cells to divide.

* Potatoes are high in vitamin C to help support a healthy immune system.  They are also a good source of potassium.  Potassium is crucial to heart function and plays a key role in skeletal and smooth muscle contraction, making it important for normal digestive and muscular function.

MONDAY

Yellow/Orange Day

Yellow and orange fruits and vegetables are full of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and many other nutrients.  They aid in promoting a strong immune system and healthy vision.  They also help keep our bones healthy and promotes healthy joints.

Fruit Options:
Apricots, Cantaloupe, Bananas, Grapefruit, Mangos, Nectarines, Oranges, Peaches, Pineapple, Yellow Apples, Yellow Pears, Papaya

* Pineapple chunks or other fruits are great with cottage cheese - this combination is packed with protein, calcium, and sweetness
* Dried fruits, apricots or bananas, are also a great option for snack, especially when you don't have a way of keeping your fruit cool.

Vegetable Options:
Butternut Squash, Carrots, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Yellow Peppers, Yellow Summer Squash

* Baby carrots and peppers are great with peanut butter or ranch dip.

P.A.C.K. Week is a 5 day program to encourage children to eat more fruits and vegetables, as well as a wide color variety, at home and at school.

Each day of the week is assigned a different color to help children broaden their selection of fruits and vegetables.  The program hopes to encourage children to eat a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis for a healthy lifestyle.

McKinney ISD will be participating in P.A.C.K. Week this coming week - February 26-March 2.  Here is the schedule:

I will be posting colorful ideas before each day!

Students will get to share what they brought during morning meeting as they talk about the color for the day and healthy food choices.  We have also partnered with ARAMARK who will be providing lunch items for each color.

1 point will be rewarded to the class for each student wearing the color and

1 point for each student who brings a snack or lunch item to match the color of the day.

The grade with the most points will earn extra recess.

The class, in the winning grade, with the most points will earn a pajama day