BRUNSWICK — If the amount of food a person should eat is based upon that person’s size, then a 6-foot-7 professional basketball player might not be the best person to give nutritional advice to third-graders.

With the help of registered dieticians, two Cleveland Cavaliers players gave it their best shot with 23 Hickory Ridge Elementary students at the Giant Eagle on Thursday as part of the Cavs’ “Fit as a Pro” educational outreach program.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Christian Eyenga and Giant Eagle registered dietitian Katie Boyd, left, watch as Hickory Ridge Elementary third-graders pick out potatoes as part of the Cavs’ Fit As a Pro program at the Brunswick Giant Eagle on Thursday. (GAZETTE PHOTO BY JENNIFER PIGNOLET)

Forward Christian Eyenga and guard Ben Uzoh spent an hour with the students learning about food groups, portion sizes and nutrition labels.

“I eat every two hours,” Eyenga said.

Giant Eagle dietitians Katie Boyd and April Moss had the players show the students how much meat they eat at one time. Both portions were at least three times the recommended serving, which is about the size of a deck of cards.

Uzoh said he has always been a relatively healthy eater, and although he eats a lot, “I burn as much as I put in.”

He said the opportunity to work with the students reminded him of his impact as a role model.

“They look up to me,” Uzoh said. “(I have to) make sure they’re being led in the right direction.”

Moss, who is the dietitian for the Brunswick store, said the Cavs were able to relate to the kids about healthy eating.

“The players did have a lot of good nutrition habits themselves,” Moss said. “They had a lot in common with the kids, so I think it went over very well.”

Eyenga said his favorite food is pasta, but he “learned a lot about cereal today.”

Student Ben Farnsworth said he learned the most about food groups.

“I want more grains,” he said. “And a lot of fruits.”

Third-grader Margaret McGinnis said she learned about what makes a healthy breakfast.

“You should have cereal with at least three grams of fiber,” she said. As far as her new food mentors, Margaret said they were “nice” and “just really, really tall.”

Contact Jennifer Pignolet at (330) 721-4063 or jpignolet@medina-gazette.com.

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