Posted Aug 29, 2009
Supplies and new outfits get most of a family’s back-to-school attention. But it’s just as important to remember to make healthful eating a priority, says Kathryn Allen, director of nutrition therapy at Tampa’s Moffitt Cancer Center.
In particular, food choices at home and at school should provide the proper nutrition and hydration for students. She offers some simple solutions:
Need a quick breakfast? Pre-pack dry cereal in resealable sandwich bags.
Stock up on fresh fruit for kids coming home from school. Make the choice easy by placing the fruit in a bowl on the counter.
Let kids pack lunch. You choose the basic ingredients, but let them decide what goes in the lunchbox. Also, get them involved in fixing meals. It saves you time and gives them a sense of pride in what’s prepared.
Think ahead. Plan dinners a week at a time and shop accordingly. That avoids after-school dinner stress.
Play nice at the dinner table. Don’t focus on forcing foods the kids won’t like. Include bread, rolls, crackers and popular fruit at every meal to make sure something gets consumed.
Be ready for practice. Young athletes need convenient, nutrient-dense foods at hand, such as peanuts, pistachio nuts, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, peanut butter, dried fruits, string cheese, yogurt, yogurt drinks, whole grain crackers, fruit cups, 100 percent juice, granola bars, baby carrots, sliced turkey, and canned tuna or chicken.
Date: Aug 21, 2009
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