The lazy days of summer grazing give way to early breakfasts, packed lunches and afternoon snacks to fuel your student’s brain. Here are some tips for sending your child to school with healthy options to fuel their learning all day long:
• Breakfast every day: your body is especially in need of calories and nutrients after a full night of sleep. Jumpstart your child’s system with a healthy breakfast like eggs or oatmeal.
• Give ‘em five: Load up your child’s plate with fruits and vegetables for every meal. Worried they won’t eat them? Involve your kids in meal planning and shopping to ensure you’re buying produce they like and will be happy to eat. Try a new fruit or vegetable each week to keep their diets varied.
• Quench thirst: Make sure your child is properly hydrated. Five glasses of water is a great goal for daily water intake – which can include flavored water, fruit infused water, sparkling water and plain tap water. Other healthy beverages like milk and fruit juice in moderation are also a great part of a healthy diet.
• Snack healthy: Smaller stomachs mean eating more often. Make sure your child is able to eat snacks when needed – and instead of offering up highly processed foods like chips and candy, offer fruits and veggies or healthier alternatives like air popped popcorn.
• Mix it up: Try not to get into a food rut. Mix up options from day to day when you can. By eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables throughout the week, you’ll be sure to provide your children with a wider variety of vitamins and nutrients.
For more healthy eating ideas, check out ChooseMyPlate.gov
