This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

A Smart Start with Healthy Snacks

Learn about nourishing snacks that fuel your child's mind and body at school.

It's back to school in RVC and now is the time to fuel your child's body and mind so that they can thrive in class. Our school district has made some strides in the healthy lunch department, but parents can do so much in their own home by providing snacks that nourish and sustain children throughout the day.

In February 2010, Michelle Obama launched her "Let's Move!" campaign, an initiative that places paramount importance and a call to action on nourishing our children. According to Let's Move! "Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled, and today, nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese. One third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives; many others will face chronic obesity-related health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma."

So what can we do locally?  We can start by providing healthy snacks and our schools can help by encouraging students to make healthy choices. I was delighted to learn that one teacher did just this on the first day of school!  My son's fifth grade teacher at Hewitt Elementary School, Ms. Linker, offered her students a free homework pass for every ten times they bring in a healthy snack. Now that is a smart start and a delicious  deal! 

Find out what's happening in Rockville Centrewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

When choosing snacks, I recommend avoiding high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oil additives, preservatives and dyes.  Of course, there is a time and place for treats like ice cream, cupcakes and cookies, but your kids will reap the benefits from incorporating healthy snacks and exercise into their daily lifestyle. Smart snacking fosters balanced behavior, increased attention, more energy, less mood swings, improved academic performance and better health.

Sensational Healthy Snack Suggestions:

Find out what's happening in Rockville Centrewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Sliced apples or pears sprinkled with brown sugar or cinnamon.
  • Fresh fruit like grapes, sliced melon, pineapple, bananas.
  • Fresh vegetables like celery, cucumbers, carrots, cherry tomatoes and red peppers.
  • Edamame Beans — try Sponge Bob or Dora Edamame packages. http://www.seapointfarms.com/products.asp?cat=42&hierarchy=0
  • Berries-fresh or dried mixed with nuts.
  • Cliff or Granola Bars
  • Popcorn — a great whole grain — best to serve it freshly popped or packaged with only essential ingredients.
  • Guacamole and whole grain chips.
  • Whole grain pita or pretzels with hummus.
  • Whole grain fajita spread with nut butter and rolled up with chopped apple slices.
  • Fig Newton's, Graham or Animal Crackers — read labels to choose wisely.
  • Water or coconut water and skip the fruit drinks, iced tea and Gatorade.
  • Fruit smoothies after school or practice.

 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?