DANVILLE -- As Danville schools continue to tweak lunch menus by offering healthier foods, such as whole wheat pizza crust and fresh fruit, Geisinger nutrition officials say healthy eating shouldn't stop there.

Parents can also play a part in helping their children make healthy food choices at home, according to Sharon Madalis, a registered dietitian and coordinator for Geisinger's clinical nutrition services.

"It's wonderful news that the school district has taken steps to promote a healthy diet, but it's just one part," Ms. Madalis said. "Parents can make more healthy choices available to their children as well, such as cutting back on fast food and over-snacking. Because people are so busy, they often look for convenience at fast-food restaurants.

"That's understandable, but there are plenty of healthier options."

For elementary and middle school students, the choices can begin with packed lunches, Ms. Madalis said.

"You can still hit all the main food groups, making sure you get daily protein in fruits and vegetables," Ms. Madalis said. "As far as older kids (high school), we probably need to continue educating teens on better choices, particularly with fast-food.

"Once they have a vehicle, they hit the road and are always on the go. The key thing is to look at the calories on the menu."

Ms. Madalis said fast-food Web sites are very helpful in developing a game plan when the drive-thru is the only option.

"The fat and sodium content is awful," Ms. Madalis said. "With any of those items, look for the lowest numbers as possible. Sometimes it narrows you down to only one item."

The recommended numbers for one fast-food meal is between 500 and 600 calories and a total fat content of 20 to 25 grams, according to Ms. Madalis.

"Regarding the fat, you can figure that it's about one-third of the recommended fat for one day," Ms. Madalis said. "For sodium, we suggest to keep it around 1,000 milligrams, which is about half of what your body needs for the day."

For more information on health and nutrition, visit these suggested Web sites: www.eatright.org, www.nutrition.gov, and www.mypyramid.gov.

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