Now that we're a few weeks into the back-to-school routine, things should be smooth sailing, right? Um, not in my house...every year, the transition from summer to school means a major overhaul of the schedule and it takes a while to settle into new work, home and workout routines.
We also struggle with new healthy eating challenges as we try to accommodate school, work, sports practices, music lessons and meetings. Fortunately, Melissa Kirdzik -- the fabulous dietitian who taught me everything I know about healthy eating -- is here with some suggestions to help make healthy choices easier. It's meant for kids, but the information is applicable to us moms, too. Read on for some great tips from Melissa:
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Make sure your child eats breakfast to improve brain function, attention span, stabilize energy and maintain a healthy metabolism.
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Send your kids to school with plenty of low-sugar fluids (milk and water are best) and encourage them to use the water fountain to keep hydrated.
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Don't make juice a part of breakfast...if you are providing a healthy variety of foods, the sugary juice will not be missed. Include whole grains, fiber and protein foods at lunch to help with hunger and energy.
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Pack snacks for long days...afterschool programs, sports and appointments make for a long gap from lunch to dinner.
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Make sure they get plenty of sleep. Eight hours or more will help your child stay focused and avoid getting run down, stressed and sick.
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Encourage activity before meals and homework. This will help encourage a healthy metabolism, and increased blood flow will help your child focus better on his or her work.
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Set small goals to stay on track. Try a breakfast or exercise chart on the fridge to get them more involved in monitoring their own healthy choices.
As usual, Melissa's common-sense approach makes healthy choices a snap. Thanks for stopping by, Melissa!
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