Help Your Kids Eat Healthy This School Year

This school year, it is important to prepare your child to make healthy eating choices. Unhealthy food and snacks can lead to childhood obesity, which in turn can cause some serious health problems. By giving them a full breakfast, packing quality lunches or snacks, and teaching them how to make the best eating decisions, you can give them the opportunity to grow into confident, healthy adults.

Research has shown that a balanced breakfast can be essential in not only maintaining a child’s weight but also when it comes to improving behavior and school performance. Protein-rich foods, such as eggs, cheese or yogurt, can help your child to stay focused until lunch-time. Whole grains provide long-lasting energy and can be found in oatmeal, muffins, waffles or pancakes. Lastly, fruits and vegetables are great breakfast options to help optimize your child’s health.

Breakfast may be an important part of your child’s day, but lunch can be equally critical in helping school performance and overall health. While packing a lunch for your child can give you control over what food they are eating, it is important to involve them in the planning process. By going over their options with them, you can help to prevent them from skipping lunch by throwing it away, trading it or bringing it home with them. Try to follow the same tips for breakfast when planning your child’s lunch with them, including some protein, a fruit or vegetable, whole grains and a dairy product in their meal. If your child eats school lunch, make sure you review the menu together.

Whether your child has snacks after school or with lunch, you should make sure that these snacks are healthy options. Fresh fruit, unbuttered popcorn, baked chips or pretzels, and vegetables with low-calorie dressing or salsa are all good examples of healthy snacks. Avoid snacks such as processed goods, fried foods, and sugary drinks.
By following these tips for healthy eating, you can ensure that your child is getting the nutrition they need for their long days at school. In addition, you will be setting a strong example that will stick with them and lead to a strong, healthy adulthood.