If you are one of many parents facing tired children at the end of the school day, rest assured help is on its way.
There are daily diet choices that will make a huge impact on your child’s success at school as well as their behavior level at home.
Breakfast being the most important meal of the day, will be their “first start” for success.
High protein offers regulating blood sugar and energy for the slow starters. Some examples of high protein breakfasts are soy protein mixed in a smoothie with fresh fruit or frozen berries, milk or milk alternative or juice.
Egg on whole wheat toast with a slice of cheese. Oatmeal with apples, maple syrup and cinnamon.
Add some food supplements such as Omega 3 Fish Oils for brain function, multi vitamin for smorgasbord of nutrients, acidophilus for good friendly bacteria and vitamin C for immune health.
Healthy lunch ideas are: cheese and crackers, boiled eggs, pepperoni sticks, jerky, meat/cheese sandwich, cheese or tuna fish on whole wheat rice cake (keep tuna in a separate container and spread on just before eating), almonds, yogurt, protein bars, muffins, fresh fruit and vegetables.
After school arrives and so does the bewitching hour! Be ready with a high protein smoothie or a food suggestion from the above list.
If your child goes to after school care, pack them an extra high protein snack and with a label, “for after school.”
Spend time with your child after school. Research shows most behaviors are related to attention seeking, allergies and poor nutrition.
Eliminate food dyes, high sugar and high refined carbohydrate snacks from your child’s diet and watch some of the behaviors disappear.
Often they are allergic to the above ingredients as well as dairy products, contributing to off the wall behaviors.
Supplementing with Fish Oils, minerals, and vitamins sets them up for a more successful day. They will be able to focus and concentrate better at school.
Do the little things that matter the most: a hug when they first wake up, tell them: “I love you and you are special to me” before you say goodbye; write them a special “thinking of you” note and hide in their lunch bag, at bedtime snuggle in bed and just talk about the day (amazing what you will hear if you take the time to really listen!)
Be a light to your children and show them the way.
Nutrition Seminars held monthly in Lacombe. Sept. 16th, Oct. 14th and Nov. 17th Preregistration required, contact Judy at 403-782-5852 www.shaklee.net/jhlifestyles
Lacombe freelance columnist Judy Holt is a wellness consultant and author of 1 Potato, 2 Potato, Couch Potato to You.