Making back to school time healthy can be handled with ease when you incorporate these five healthy back to school tips into your children’s daily routine.
1. Don’t Short-Change Your Kids’ Sleep
According to the National Institute of Health, school-aged children and teens need at least 9 hours of sleep a night. You know how you feel when you sleep less than the 7-8 hours we as adults are supposed to get on average. So be sure to have an established bedtime that lets your kids get the proper rest so they are mentally and physically ready to take on the day at school.
2. Exercise Rocks!
Sadly, many schools have eliminated or reduced physical education classes. However, just because physical activity may be lacking during school hours, it doesn’t mean your child should skip it. If possible, have your child walk or bike to and from school, go to the local playground after school as weather permits, join a kid-friendly family gym or join a children’s sports or dance program. Studies show that at least 60 minutes of exercise a day helps children maintain a healthy weight, build strength, stamina and self-confidence, reduce stress and sleep better.
Want your kids to be more active? Take the lead by exercising and setting a good example! Or add some quality time by doing something active together each day.
3. A Great Day of Learning Starts with a Good Healthy Breakfast
A solid breakfast helps your children do well in school helping to support brain function, concentration and energy, and it also helps with maintaining a healthy weight.
An ideal healthy breakfast includes high quality protein like smoothies with whey protein, eggs (more egg white in proportion to whole eggs to balance cholesterol if they have them frequently) which can be made to go in a whole wheat pita, tortilla or English Muffin, turkey bacon (nitrate free if possible) or a quality energy bar like Quest Nutrition Protein Bars made from whey and milk protein (they have a cookies and cream bar that’s unbelievable).
