This week we worked with grades 1 and 2 teaching them about the B vitamins! We played musical chairs, where they either have to say a healthy snack or something they learned about vitamin B once they’re out. And then we made air-popped popcorn which was a real hit with the kids. They were super excited to see the popcorn popping, jumping and flying into the bowl. We seasoned them with three combinations of toppings: honey, coconut, and coconut oil in one batch, raw sugar, cinnamon, and coconut oil in another, and nutritional yeast, coconut oil, and just a pinch of salt in the last one. All of the kids took to at least one of the combinations and loved this easy nutritional snack!

There are a wide range of B vitamins including B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, and B12, all of which has different functions in the body. Simply put, B vitamins are healthy for a couple of reasons. They help your body convert food into energy, which also includes breaking down fat and protein, leading to feeling less fatigued throughout the day. Your immune system also requires B vitamins to function and protect the body from colds and flu viruses. B vitamins help cognition and brain function which is important in children when they’re learning in school. Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is required by pregnant mothers so the fetus can grow properly. One disorder that can increase in risk in mothers lacking B9 is spinal bifida, where the neural tube does not close properly and the spinal cord protrudes out.

Some sources of B9 are: beans, seeds, nuts, fortified cereals, leafy green vegetables, nutritional yeast, and coconut oil.

Recipe: Air-popped popcorn

Plain popcorn kernals popped in an air popper without oil is a healthy free snack. It provides protein, fibre, iron, and B6. An air popper is generally easy to use, just throw the kernals into the popper and let it run. Make sure the lid is on and a bowl is in place – it can get quite active.

Once popcorn is popped, top with any healthy toppings such as:

• Nutritional yeast and coconut oil, a pinch of salt
• Coconut oil, coconut, and honey
• Cinnamon, and sugar, and coconut oil

These are all nutritious, and the nutritional yeast is super high in B vitamins.

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