By Jayson Kroner
 

As the class of 2007 embarks on another year of classroom comings and goings, it is important to make sure that they establish healthy eating and nutrition habits early. Because while three months of classroom abstinence may give them a well deserved rest from their academic demands, it can also leave them in a cognitive fog that is not easily lifted. Establishing a healthy set of eating and nutritional habits, right from the start, is an excellent way to set a tone that can follow them throughout the entire school year.

 

In order to successfully accomplish this, it is important to understand what their growing bodies genuinely need to thrive. Another factor to take into consideration is the approach that you’ll use in getting them on the right path. Because as you’ve probably discovered, asking your kids to eat healthy can be one tall order.

 

Keep something in mind, though, and remind your kids of this. They don’t have to become “health nuts.” That’s not the goal here, and making unrealistic demands will only drive them to junking out when your back is turned. Instead, try taking a more subtle approach that keeps them nutritionally armed throughout the day. This starts with the most important meal of their day, breakfast.

 

Start the Day Off Right!

A colleague of mine once told me that it would be better to eat a donut in the morning than to skip breakfast all together. And while I wouldn’t necessarily recommend going the pastry route, there is a bit of logic to this thinking. You see, it’s not exclusively about being “full”. Upon waking, the body is operating on a very limited reserve of calories, and therefore, an equally limited amount of vital nutrients. The day’s first meal provides the fuel needed to run virtually every major system. Without these vital calories, even the most fit, energetic individual will struggle to operate at their pinnacle.

 

One of the easiest ways to prevent this is to abandon the stereotypes that continue to govern what an “appropriate” breakfast is. There are no rules in effect stating that your child’s first meal of the day has to come in the form of pancakes, eggs, or cereal. In all honesty, it doesn’t matter what they consume, provided that it is nutritionally balanced, of a natural source, and calorically appropriate. This can come in the form of fruit, grains, or anything else that provides a balanced nutrient profile. Considering that many kids are starting their days earlier, suggest snacks that can be taken with them, or kept in their backpack:  

 

Pineapple Rings - Naturally sweetened in pure fruit juice concentrate and then carefully dried, this is a delicious, convenient snack that your kids are sure to enjoy.  

 

Tropical Fruit Mix – A tasty mix of dried banana, papaya and pineapple provides many of the nutrients that are essential to an active, growing child.

 

Real Bars – NOW offers four great tasting snack bars to keep your kids nourished and fully energized. Choose from Real Berry, Real Tropical, Real Omega-3, and Real Green!  

 

Eliminate the Soda and High Sugar Potions

 

Regardless of what you call it—soda, pop, cola, soft drinks, whatever—these drinks can be more concerning than you might imagine. They may taste good on hot summer days, but this “refreshment” comes with a hefty biological price tag. First, they are extraordinarily high in sugar. But not just any sugar; soft drinks are loaded with high fructose corn syrup. In addition, they are formulated with high levels of preservatives, phosphoric acid, and caffeine, not to mention artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners.

 

It may take a bit of trial and error, but you need to get your kids in the habit of drinking beverages that are not loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients. Water is the best option, however natural juices, fruit smoothies, iced tea, and lowfat milk are all good alternatives. When choosing sport, energy and electrolyte replacement drinks, be sure to read the labels carefully. Many of these products contain unusually high amounts of sugar and artificial ingredients. When choosing sugar free and diet drinks, be on the lookout for products that contain sucralose—the chemical name for Splenda^®. This “sweetener” may come across as being natural, but in reality, it is a highly processed chlorocarbon that has no place in a healthy diet. There have been no long-term studies on the potential effects of Splenda^® in young, developing children.  

 

Don’t Kid Around when it comes to Supplements

 

It should come as a surprise to no one that the youth of today are not eating as well as they could or should be. And considering that many of them have been on their own all summer, poor dietary habits can be very difficult to break. So rather than simply assuming that, come late August, they will snap out of their fast food funk, it can be far more beneficial to help them establish a supplement regime that will provide the nutrients and supporting compounds that are probably missing from their diet. NOW Foods offers a number of dietary supplements that have been especially formulated to meet the increasing demands of a growing child. Here are a few worth considering.   

 

Kid Vits - Essential nutrients such as vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and other important co-factors have been perfectly balanced in these fun, animal-shaped chewables.

 

Berry Dophilus - Children need probiotics just as much as their parents. These tasty chewables, available soon from NOW, make it easy to deliver the friendly bacteria they need to support healthy immune and metabolic function.*

 

Kid Cal - Kids who don’t consume fresh dairy products on a daily basis may not be getting the calcium they need. Kid Cal was carefully formulated to ensure that they do.