As much as my kids try to deny it the first day of school is rapidly approaching. It’s almost time to trade in bathing suits and camping with loaded backpacks and chapter tests. Sigh… It seems like summer just began and here we are nearing the end.
I’m already thinking about how things are going to be when my kids go back to school. My daughter is a senior and taking college courses at the high school this year. She also goes in late and leaves early. Meanwhile my son is a sophomore this year. He has a full schedule and has to catch the bus at 6:45 AM and he gets home after 2:30 PM. That means I have to put him on the bus, come home, drive my daughter to school, go to work, leave work, pick my daughter up from school then get back to the bus stop to pick up my son. Yikes! That is going to be crazy!
I’m always thinking about lunch for my kids this year. Last year my son had an early lunch period so he never ate at school (he simply wasn’t hungry). By the time he got home from school he was famished and eating everything he could find.
This year his lunch is still early, but not as bad. To prevent him from eating us out of house and home when he gets home I want him to pack a snack or a light lunch (if he doesn’t feel like he wants a full lunch). I don’t care if it’s some cheese & crackers, a piece of fruit and/or another healthy snack.
Here are some great things to consider as you’re planning for your children to go back to school.
Breakfast Checklist: If your kids are in too much of a rush for breakfast, their school performance could suffer. This study found that kids who eat breakfast miss less school, average higher math scores, and 20% are even more likely to graduate! Easy, quick and nutritionally dense options are best to ensure they can at least grab breakfast as they run out the door in the morning. Make sure you check off protein, fiber, and healthy fats for this meal for energy and brain power.
Pack a Snack: Packing healthy options is the best way to help your kids avoid all the unhealthy choices lurking around their school. Between vending machines, bake sales, candy fund raisers and the snacks in the lunch line, who knows what they’re eating throughout the day! If they keep some healthy snacks in their locker or school bag, they’re less likely to fall prey to all these temptations, and they’ll be getting the brain food they really need.
Lunch Punch: Did you know that in school lunch lines, pizza and french fries are considered vegetables? It might be the safest option to pack a school lunch to ensure your kids are getting the real vegetables they need, as well as fruits, proteins and whole grains. Make it interesting with some bold flavors to ensure they actually eat what you pack!
Parent’s Lunch Crunch: Don’t forget mom or dad! During back to school it can be all too easy for parents to forget about taking care of themselves when they’re taking care of their kids. When you’re in a time crunch, make sure you too have easily accessible, healthy foods to snack on and reach for when it’s lunch time. Maybe pack your own lunch at the same time you pack for your kids so you can ensure a healthy meal is ready when you are!
The “Lunch Punch” tip made me laugh (but not because it’s funny). In our school district they consider nachos smothered in greasy cheese and mozerella sticks as LUNCH menu options. Seriously? Since when have appetizers turned into “healthy” lunch options. It’s no wonder my kids won’t buy lunch at school. I don’t blame them. I wouldn’t either.
I work for a few hours in the morning (9:00 AM – 12:30 PM). Around 11:00 AM I start looking for something to snack on. I try and bring in something healthy. Lately I have been enjoying KIND bars. Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond is my new favorite. I LOVE! LOVE! LOVE that flavor. It combines a sweet chocolate and rich dark roast coffee with the crunch of nutty almonds. Mere words cannot describe just how delicious the KIND Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond bar is. Caramel Almond Sea Salt is also delicious.
I knew KIND made bars, but I didn’t know that they also offered Healthy Grains Clusters which are bits of granola and other healthy goodies that you can enjoy “as is” or put on top of yogurt, oatmeal, cereal or even ice cream.
I tried the Raspberry Clusters with Chia Seeds. I enjoyed it “as is” straight from the bag. I also enjoyed it on some Greek yogurt. Mmm.. it’s so good!
The Healthy Grains Bars are great too. In fact I had one this morning at work but I accidentally knocked it when I removed it from the wrapper and it broke apart and fell into the garbage. I probably couldn’t do that again if I tried. At least it landed in the garbage and not all over the floor. LOL.
Vanilla Blueberry is very good. I can’t wait to try another flavor – Maple Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt. Doesn’t that sound delicious?
If you want to keep your children from snacking on “not-so-good-for-you” snacks be sure to stock up on plenty of “better-f0r-you” options like KIND products. They are great to keep at your desk at work to keep you from hitting the vending machine.
What I like about KIND products is that they are all delicious (I never met a KIND product I didn’t like). Aside from being flavorful I also find them satisfying. They are like a mini-meal as far as taking the edge off when you are hungry.
All KIND Healthy Snacks are made from all-natural whole nuts, fruits and whole grains. No secret ingredients and absolutely nothing artificial here. Just a delicious way of getting your body essential nutrients like fiber, protein and antioxidants (to name a few).
KIND products are sold by many retailers around the country. You can also purchase KIND products online.
To learn more visit www.KINDSnacks.com. You can also find the brand on the various social media sites.
Have you tried KIND products before? Do you have a favorite?
Do you have any healthy back to school tips you’d like to share?
Kimberly
*I received free product samples. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.