We’ve all been there! You’ve got a presentation coming up or a test to prepare for and you have no idea where to begin looking for the right resources. Then, when you find them, can you be sure they’re reputable? Is the resource designed to address the problem that you’re facing? There are so many questions that pop up when it’s time to find new nutrition education resources. Just to make things a little easier, our product selection pros here at NCES have put together a few tips for selecting the best videos, handouts, posters and teaching aids.

1. The first thing you want to be sure to check is the edition of the resource you’re considering. Is it the most recent edition? One simple way to do this is to Google the next edition to see if anything comes up. For example, if you’re looking at the Pediatric Nutrition Handbook, 7^th edition on the NCES website. Google Pediatric Nutrition Handbook, 8^th edition. When no matching products are found, you’ll know you have the right one. Plus, all NCES products are constantly updated with the latest edition. So, you can rest easy knowing that the resources you find in the NCES catalog and at www.NCEScatalog.com are up-to-date.
2. Second, you’ll want to consider if the resource relates to the subject you’re interested in. If you’re presenting to an audience who are expecting to come learn about how to chase away they’re unhealthy snack cravings, you don’t want a presentation on the benefits of reading food labels. Although this topic could certainly be a part of your snacking presentation, you don’t want the entire thing to focus around food labels. Instead a presentation like “When Snack Attacks Strike”, which focuses completely on the topic at hand, would be a great fit for you.
3. Our third tip for choosing a nutrition education resource that fits your needs perfectly is to check the reading level of the piece. Many highly researched, educational and useful handouts are written at a reading level that is too high for many to read AND understand. Did you know that the average American reads proficiently at a 7^th or 8^th grade level? So, be sure to choose materials that can be read and understood by all who will be using them. We recommend choosing anything at a 6^th grade reading level or below.

The great thing about a comprehensive resource catalog (and website) like NCES is that all of our products have been reviewed to make sure that they meet our standards of excellence. When you order from NCES, you can be sure that everything in your package has been reviewed by our on-staff dietitian for quality, accuracy and excellence. Plus, if you ever need any assistance finding just the right product, we’re here for you! Simply send an email to info@ncescatalog.com, give us a call at 877.623.7266 or fill out the Contact Form on our website. We love helping you find the resource that is perfect for you! If you’re ready to start browsing now, be sure to check out our Primarily Professional section for a comprehensive selection of books, teaching aids, CEU’s and much more.