Routines For Healthy Eating

Routines for Healthy Eating

Starting a new school year off right includes setting up solid routines for eating well. Help your youngster map out a good strategy for each part of her day. Jump-start the morning A healthy breakfast prepares your child for a full day of learning. Consider letting her eat breakfast in the school cafeteria. She’ll save time and get a balanced meal with whole grains, protein, low-fat dairy, and fruit. Idea: Have her make a “breakfast tracker” chart. Every day, she could draw a different-colored star for each food group she ate from. Boost afternoon energy Your youngster will want a snack to tide her over until dinnertime—make sure it’s a nutritious one! She might pack whole-wheat crackers, hummus, and grapes to munch on at after-school care. Or if she comes right home after school, she could eat half of a turkey and tomato sandwich with a glass of milk before she tackles homework. Fuel up at dinner Try to eat dinner together, even on busy evenings. Fitting dinner prep into your morning routine is one way to make this happen. For example, put chili ingredients into a slow cooker. Another idea is to prepare the night before, perhaps marinating chicken and cutting up vegetables.