Food Does Count!

     I watch students each day show up to classes with energy/power drinks in hand, soda cans or their favorite Starbucks coffee. After waking up during the first class and "hyper" the second class, it is time to load up with pizza, tacos, fries or other starchy non healthy meal, so the student is ready to be half functioning through the afternoon classes.   FOOD DOES MATTER!  If the student is loading up on fast energy drinks in the morning and fatty foods for lunch, the ability for the student to perform at their best is impossible. The mind needs to be fine tuned.  Eating properly is part of that training to be ready and prepared to learn.
   Often parents are out of the house or rushing themselves and don't have time to make breakfast.  There are healthy foods that a child can have ready to go to solve this problem.  Fruits and some type of healthy cereal and milk are a great start.  Nutrition bars are easy to grab.  Many fruits can be easily packed, from bananas and apples, to various berries and citric fruits.
     Between classes, a student can eat a healthy snack.  This might include cheese and crackers to a banana.  There is nothing wrong with packing a lunch for your child.  It can be made the night before and your child can help do the preparations.  The goal is to control what your child eats.  Keeping a balance between proteins, sugars and carbohydrates is ideal for "good learning".
     When a child arrives home, whether it is right after school or after various school activities, have choices of foods at home that they can enjoy but are still healthy. Encourage your child to eat something small and nutritious before doing homework.  Finally, try as a family to eat dinner together.  This is a perfect time to have dinner conversations.   Include in the dinner well rounded combinations of foods.  Vegetables can be in soups, salads, stews, or by themselves depending on your family's taste buds.  It is always smart to include a starch, such as potato, rice, or a light pasta.  If your family are meat eaters, the choices are endless.  If not, great protein supplements can include:  beans  and tofu dishes. (My family loves my bean and lentil soups).  These habits can be started early so that they last a lifetime.   Happy cooking and even better eating!