It doesn’t seem possible, but the new school year is beginning. Whether you have kids in pre-school or high school, classrooms can be breeding grounds for immune system challenges because students are in such close proximity to each other. They will also be sharing school supplies, touching door handles, and railings that hundreds of other children may have also touched.
School absenteeism is alarming. Approximately 164 million school days are lost each year to sick days among children in kindergarten to grade 12, which averages out annually to 4.5 sick days for each child. A missed school day is a lost opportunity to learn.
As parents, how can we support our children’s immunity in preparation for the long school year ahead? If we subscribe to the philosophy of ‘it’s easier to prevent illness than treat it’, then we need to be proactive in making sure our kids enjoy a healthy and productive school year.
Due to our busy lifestyles, children don’t always get the nutrition they need for their growing bodies and minds. However, it should come as no surprise that students with healthier diets do better in school. In a study by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), eat fruit and vegetables, and avoid sugary sodas were also shown to get mostly A’s.
Getting a child started in the morning is no easy task, especially when we need to get ourselves ready for work at the same time. It’s easy to pour out a bowl of cereal and call it a meal, but are we doing our children, and ourselves, any favors? Starting the day with a nutritious breakfast has a positive effect on a child’s memory and attention. Colorful fruits and vegetables are strong immune supporters, as are yogurt, poultry, and almonds.
Whenever possible, try serving organically grown foods. Organic foods are often fresher, have more beneficial nutrients, and organically raised animals are not given antibiotics and growth hormones.
Inside our Back-to-School Meal Plan, you will receive recipe collections that are healthy that even the picky eater will enjoy and includes: