Parents’ Checklist: Prepare Your Family’s Health for Back-to-School Season | Point of Blue

Choose healthy lunches and snacks

If your kiddos purchase school lunch, confirm that there are healthy options available. If you pack your children’s lunch, make sure they are colorful. Include fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, protein and healthy fats. This goes for you as well! Modeling healthy eating behaviors is the key to creating the same behaviors in your kiddos.

How you snack is just as important. Too many easy-to-grab snacks are loaded with sugar, which leads to an energy crash, hindering your ability to focus and participate in work and school. High-sugar dietary regimens increase depression, weight gain, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline. To keep you and your family energized throughout the day, look for snacks that have fiber, protein, and healthy fats—such as nuts, yogurt and fruit.