Health Care

We Can! Ways to Enhance Children's Physical Activity and Nutrition

GO, SLOW, WHOA is the We Can! healthy eating campaign to teach children which foods are the best foods for them to eat and how much of that food(s) they can have as part of a healthy lifestyle. GO foods are the lowest in fat, added sugar, and calories. They are nutrient dense (rich in vitamins and minerals) and are perfect to eat almost all the time. Examples include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat and fat-free dairy products, lean meats, and nuts and beans. SLOW foods are higher in fat, added sugar, and calories. These should be eaten sometimes and less often than GO foods. Examples include 100% fruit juice, white refined bread, pasta, or rice, and low-fat or fat-free frozen yogurt. WHOA foods are highest in fat, added sugar, and calories. These foods are often low in nutrients and should only be eaten once in awhile, on special occasions. Examples include French fries, regular soda, chicken nuggets, and cookies or cake. Refer to the GO, SLOW, WHOA food chart for more foods and examples. They also have a chart perfect for kids. We Can! also provides a chart for estimated calorie requirement based on age, gender, and activity level that can help you determine your daily caloric needs. Additionally, We Can! focuses on physical activity and reduction of screen time.

References

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. (2012). We can! Ways to enhance children's physical activity and nutrition. Retrieved from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/