First day of school! No doubt you've seen it all over the internet, all over Facebook and it is probably running through your mind right now! So, what do we do? We organize the clothes, go clothes shopping, organize the closet, organize the school supplies, meet the teacher, organize the house, talk about getting back into the routine, etc...so much to think about! But, what about meals? Let's see, we'll have back to school night, PTA sign up, volunteer sign up, sports, piano, dance, and all of the extra school activities, projects and HOMEWORK! Where does eating healthy fit in? UGH, just one more thing to think about!
Well, I've got great news for you. It doesn't have to be that way! With just a few habit changes and a few adjustments, you can go back to school worry free! Here are a few tips that I teach families, including children, to get the whole family on track for a healthy eating lifestyle. Why? Read on to find out more...
1. Pre plan - Make a meal plan, go to the grocery store and do as much pre cooking for the week as possible on the weekend.
2. Breakfast doesn't have to be breakfast - Think about the leftovers from the night before. Did you have chicken fajitas? Warm up a chicken fajita for breakfast, or, put some chicken and fajita veggies in a skillet, add some whisked eggs and make an omelet! What about a peanut butter and banana sandwich?
3. Snacking is a must - Kids get worn out mentally at school! Then, they have to come home and do homework or study for a test! They need a great snack to help get this done. Have a variety of nuts on hand, plenty of fruit and skip the junk food aisle at the store. They'll be so hungry when they get home that they'll eat whatever is there! Remember the chicken fajitas? Great snack!
4. School lunch or not to school lunch - While many school districts are making progress in improving student lunches, be sure to check the internet so you know EXACTLY what they are serving.
5. Dinner time - Here's where it gets tricky and here's where habits are important. EVERYONE participates, unless they have 5 hours of homework or a big test to study for. Even then, use your best judgement. It can either take 1 person 30 minutes to prepare dinner or 2 people 15 minutes. Same for clean up. It can take 1 person 20 minutes or 4 people 5 minutes...you get the math.
6. Teach the kids how to cook - There are SOOOOOOOOO many reasons that this is important and I could go on all day about this statement, however, I know you don't have all day because you're getting ready for back to school, so, I'll make it short by giving you my top 2. 1. Teaching kids how to cook helps streamline dinner time and take some of the heat (get it - heat because we're talking about cooking ;) off of you. Eventually, the kids will be able to cook a healthy meal themselves! 2. If you teach them how to cook, they have a better chance of being healthy adults, and, anything to make their future better, right?
My wish is that you and your kids have a happy and productive school year. If you get them on the right eating track at the beginning of the year, it'll help in so many ways. Kids are likely better able to focus on their school work, sit still in the classroom, control their behavior and make better grades if they have a healthy eating lifestyle. They'll also be able to keep up on the playground and be excited to play sports and get outside for some much needed fitness. Imagine how much better their life, and yours, will be!
I hope this has helped. We have great programs at Healthy Now...Healthy Later that can help you and your family get on the right eating track. If you need me, I'll be over here www.facebook.com/caraperkinshnhl . Please send me a message if you have any questions or need to get connected with a program that's right for you and your family.
Happy back to school!
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