Back To School With The Fast Metabolism Diet
And just like that, summer is but a memory. The backpacks are waiting by the door, and children everywhere are nervously anticipating their first day back at school. It’s that time again. It’s with mixed emotions that we send our kids off to the next chapter, but there’s a lot we can do to ensure they succeed, and one of those major things, as I’m sure you can guess, is what you’re putting in their bellies! In the last couple months, I’ve been hearing about some new back-to-school food trends, and I was curious what they were all about, so I dove right in. I’ve narrowed it down to the top five, so let’s begin!
Breakfast: The First Lesson of the Day
I’m not sure how breakfast became a trend again because my grandma has been saying it’s the most important meal of the day as long as I can remember! Without question, breakfast sets up our kids to have the energy they need to succeed and learn at their highest levels. If children don’t eat right after waking up in the morning (30 minutes or so), you are requiring their body to think, work, play and do everything else they need to do in a day on zero fuel. A healthy and nutritious breakfast is a good habit for life, and what better first lesson of the day?
Need something fast to grab as you run out the door in the morning? Oatmeal? A smoothie? How about both?
OATMEAL FRUIT SMOOTHIE
1/4 cup steel-cut oats, dry
1 cup frozen fruit, such as pineapple or strawberries
½ cup ice cubes
1 packet Stevia or Xylitol
Ground cinnamon, to taste
Put the oats in a blender and pulse until they reach a powdery consistency. Turn off the blender and add ½ cup water. Incorporate the remaining ingredients into the mix and blend until smooth. Serve.
Bye, Bye Dye!
Across the board, we’ve seen major companies removing artificial coloring from kids’ foods. While the FDA recently decided that dyes don’t have a negative effect on the behavior of typical children, they did say that children with preexisting behavior problems may see their symptoms worsen by artificial dyes. One positive back-to-school trend would be to eliminate artificial colors from snacks, drinks, and any food your children are eating.
Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice
There is just something about kids and candy that go hand in hand. Instead of fighting it, turn that sweet tooth into good, healthy habits they will maintain for a lifetime. Stick an all-natural, organic candy with fruit juice and Vitamin C into their lunch from time to time. Have them satisfy that sweet tooth with a ripe, juicy piece of fruit in season. What have you seen in your local market? Our community would love to hear about it.
Extreme Lunch Makeover
Last year, the government required the USDA to update school nutrition requirements and increased subsidies to meal programs. It was a sweeping change and additions included more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat milk, as well as preparing existing foods in healthier ways. Studies also indicate brown bag packed lunches have also gone healthy, with more fruit and vegetables. This year, try including low-fat dressings, dips or sauces with a baggie of veggies in your kids’ lunch.
Got Milk?
Milk has long been the drink of choice for strong bones. What I’m seeing now is it trending more than ever as a great way to energize our children and keep them hydrated too. Ditch the sugary juices and sodas when packing lunch and slip in a grab-and-go container of milk.
Like everything great, it always comes back around full circle. I wanted to write this mostly because I’m so glad to see healthy options trending again! What have you seen at your local market and amongst your parent friends? Please share!
And just like that, summer is but a memory. The backpacks are waiting by the door, and children everywhere are nervously anticipating their first day back at school. It’s that time again. It’s with mixed emotions that we send our kids off to the next chapter, but there’s a lot we can do to ensure they succeed, and one of those major things, as I’m sure you can guess, is what you’re putting in their bellies! In the last couple months, I’ve been hearing about some new back-to-school food trends, and I was curious what they were all about, so I dove right in. I’ve narrowed it down to the top five, so let’s begin!
Breakfast: The First Lesson of the Day
I’m not sure how breakfast became a trend again because my grandma has been saying it’s the most important meal of the day as long as I can remember! Without question, breakfast sets up our kids to have the energy they need to succeed and learn at their highest levels. If children don’t eat right after waking up in the morning (30 minutes or so), you are requiring their body to think, work, play and do everything else they need to do in a day on zero fuel. A healthy and nutritious breakfast is a good habit for life, and what better first lesson of the day?
Need something fast to grab as you run out the door in the morning? Oatmeal? A smoothie? How about both?
OATMEAL FRUIT SMOOTHIE
1/4 cup steel-cut oats, dry
1 cup frozen fruit, such as pineapple or strawberries
½ cup ice cubes
1 packet Stevia or Xylitol
Ground cinnamon, to taste
Put the oats in a blender and pulse until they reach a powdery consistency. Turn off the blender and add ½ cup water. Incorporate the remaining ingredients into the mix and blend until smooth. Serve.
Bye, Bye Dye!
Across the board, we’ve seen major companies removing artificial coloring from kids’ foods. While the FDA recently decided that dyes don’t have a negative effect on the behavior of typical children, they did say that children with preexisting behavior problems may see their symptoms worsen by artificial dyes. One positive back-to-school trend would be to eliminate artificial colors from snacks, drinks, and any food your children are eating.
Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice
There is just something about kids and candy that go hand in hand. Instead of fighting it, turn that sweet tooth into good, healthy habits they will maintain for a lifetime. Stick an all-natural, organic candy with fruit juice and Vitamin C into their lunch from time to time. Have them satisfy that sweet tooth with a ripe, juicy piece of fruit in season. What have you seen in your local market? Our community would love to hear about it.
Extreme Lunch Makeover
Last year, the government required the USDA to update school nutrition requirements and increased subsidies to meal programs. It was a sweeping change and additions included more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat milk, as well as preparing existing foods in healthier ways. Studies also indicate brown bag packed lunches have also gone healthy, with more fruit and vegetables. This year, try including low-fat dressings, dips or sauces with a baggie of veggies in your kids’ lunch.
Got Milk?
Milk has long been the drink of choice for strong bones. What I’m seeing now is it trending more than ever as a great way to energize our children and keep them hydrated too. Ditch the sugary juices and sodas when packing lunch and slip in a grab-and-go container of milk.
Like everything great, it always comes back around full circle. I wanted to write this mostly because I’m so glad to see healthy options trending again! What have you seen at your local market and amongst your parent friends? Please share!
