Get the School Year Off to a Healthy Start

Aug 24, 2016

It's hard to believe that kids are heading back to school already. They have their backpacks filled with school supplies and perhaps even a new outfit for that first day of school. 
But are they prepared on the inside?

We had the opportunity to participate in a Back to School Twitter Chat hosted by the American Heart Association, and wow, did we come across some great
resources! The chat included health experts, dietitians, and lots of other folks who simply care about kids' health, and there were several things they agree on
hen it comes to helping kids - and families - as everyone heads back to school:

• Family Communication. The calendar starts to fill up, so be sure you keep a central calendar for the entire family, and review what's coming up each day.
  More importantly, schedule family time as well when you can shut off the electronics and reconnected with one another.
• Parents Are Role Models. Kids watch what we do, and they hear what we say. If you want them to have less screen time, be sure you're turning off the TV or
  computer as well. If you want your kids to be active, make it a priority to get out and be active with them. 
• Parents Need Some Time Alone. As you're writing out the family calendar, schedule a time when you as parents can do things together - anything from a couples' workout to date night. It's kind of like the oxygen mask instructions on an airplane - you need to take care of yourself first so that you can take care of others. Healthy, Happy Parents = Healthy, Happy Kids!
• Make Healthy Food a Family Affair. Have kids help with shopping and cooking, read nutrition labels together, pick a new fruit or vegetable to try each week.
  Even though you will have those nights where everyone is running in different directions, make it a priority to have a meal around the table together as often as you can.
• Play Together. Find ways to be active together, even if it's a family walk with the dog after dinner. Daily physical activity is good for all of us (it's a great stress reliever, too)!
• Get Your Sleep! Enough said.

Here are some of the other tips and resources we learned about:

Healthy Eating

• Kids and Sugar (how much is too much?)
• Sneaky Salt and Where It's Hiding in Your Kids' Food
• Get more fruits and vegetables into your meals and snacks by prepping items for the week's menus. It's easier to grab a healthy snack, and quicker to make dinner, if your
  produce is already cut and ready to go!
• When the family is on the go, pack a healthy meal or snack to go. If you're at a sporting event or practice, have a little picnic. Planning before you go can reduce the
  temptation to hit the drive thru.
• If you are dining out, watch for words like fried or battered, or items that come swimming in creamy sauces. Go for baked, broiled and grilled instead. Many restaurants
  now have "healthy" sections of their menus. Don't be afraid to ask about nutritional information!  Tips for dining out by cuisine.

Recipes

• Energy Bites (great for after school snacks or when you're on the go)
• PB&J Spirals
• Grab-and-Go Breakfast Pitas
• Sweet and Crunchy Trail Mix
• Creative Lunch Box Ideas for Kids
• More Healthy Lunch and Snack Ideas!

Physical Activity

• When going with kids to the grocery store, practices and games, park farther away. That way, everyone gets in a few extra steps!
• If you are sitting at a practice with other parents, grab one and go for a quick walk!
• Walk to school. If you live too far away and need to drive, find a safe spot a block or two away and let your child walk the rest of the way.
  After school, set that same designated spot your child can walk to at pick-up time (gets YOU out of the traffic line, too!).

Being Busy and Stressed