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Healthy Back to School Snacks

The kids are back to school, and preparing healthy snacks for after school is essential to their well-being.  School lunch can be as early as 10 a.m. or as late as 1 p.m.  Depending on your child’s lunch time, he or she could be starving by the time school’s out. For children with after-school activities, this scenario could leave them at the mercy of vending machines. The key here is to maximize nutrition and offer green-light foods to hold them over until the family gets together for dinner.

 

 

  1. We all know how important fruits and vegetables are – keep them washed and available. Instead of having cookies and chips at children’s fingertips, choose fruits that will retain quality even out of the refrigerator, like grapes, cherry tomatoes, small pears and apples, bananas, and oranges. Even pre-packaged fruit bowls are a good idea.
  2. Make a high-energy trail mix. Trail mix will maintain its freshness even with changes in temperature. Remember, you want to maximize nutrition, especially if you have an active child. Granola, nuts and dried fruit will certainly do that. It’s ok to add a few chocolate pieces that will give this healthy treat the cool edge children are looking for. Small snack bags are the perfect size for trail mix. And can’t do nuts? No problem; sunflower seeds and soy nuts are a great protein alternative!
  3. Make-ahead snacks. Pizza English muffins are a classic but a favorite. Make a bunch of these over the weekend, wrap in aluminum foil and freeze. Older children can simply pop these in the toaster oven for a snack that requires very little effort.
  4. If they insist on potato chips … switch to light or low-fat popcorn. Popcorn is actually a whole grain and an excellent alternative to fat-filled chips.
  5. Make a fun cheese snack. String cheese is another wholesome snack that provides protein, as well as vitamins and minerals, which are important to a growing child. Add a small tortilla and wrap up your string cheese for an easy snack.

Top Energy Boosting Foods

 

Consuming a healthy diet and eating at regular intervals can help boost and maintain your energy levels. Proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fats provide the body with the energy it needs to function efficiently, according to the American Dietetic Association. A variety of factors can affect your energy levels, such as sleep patterns, overall health and caloric intake, but consuming certain foods can provide you with the essential nutrients needed to boost your energy levels.

Coffee

Caffeinated beverages like coffee can boost your energy levels. Caffeine is in a variety of beverages and foods, such as coffee, chocolate, tea, energy drinks and many soft drinks. According to TeensHealth from Nemours, caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, increases your alertness, elevates your mood and gives you a temporary boost in energy that may last up to six hours. TeensHealth states that the effects of caffeine can vary from person to person depending on your age, weight and caffeine sensitivity, but consuming more than 500 mg — about 5 cups — daily may cause anxiety, dizziness, headaches, disrupted sleep patterns and the jitters.

 

Fresh Fruits

Fresh fruits such as apples, oranges, pineapples, blueberries, bananas and strawberries can provide a boost of energy. Fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and water. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fruits also contain simple carbohydrates, sugars naturally found in fruits, vegetables and milk. Simple carbohydrates are easily broken down by the digestive system into glucose, energy used by the body. The University of Missouri Extension says fruits and fruit juices can provide you with a quick boost of energy prior to exercising. Increase your energy level shortly before participating in physical activities such as jogging, running or sports by eating a piece of fruit or drinking a glass of fruit juice.

Yogurt

To boost your energy levels before exercising or dinner, try snacking on yogurt, according to “Fitness” magazine. Yogurt contains both protein and carbohydrates, nutrients that provide you with energy and a feeling of fullness. Sprinkling some crunchy cereal on top of your yogurt can provide additional carbohydrates; combined with protein from the yogurt, this can help increase your energy and delay your hunger for a prolonged amount of time.

Almonds and Walnuts

Nuts like almonds and walnuts can supply extra energy, according to “Fitness.” Almonds and walnuts are rich in healthy unsaturated fats, which help you stay full for a longer period of time. They also contain healthy amounts of fiber, selenium, vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids, nutrients that keep the body functioning at an optimal level. Other food sources that contain healthy unsaturated fats include oils such as canola, olive, nut and soybean; seeds; and salmon and tuna.

Protein-Based Foods

Incorporating protein-based foods into your daily diet can help boost your energy levels. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, protein-based foods provide your body with the fuel it needs to build and repair tissues. Your body does not have the ability to store extra protein, so it burns it for energy or converts it to fat. You can find protein in a variety of foods, including lean red meat, fish, beans, poultry, nuts, milk, tofu, soy milk, peanut butter, yogurt and cheese. According to the American Dietetic Association, consuming 6 oz. of protein-based food sources daily can provide you with enough protein to boost your energy levels.

 

Natural Herbs or Plants for Muscle Strength

 

Building muscle strength requires physical weight-bearing exercise, as well as a healthy, nutrient-rich diet. Protein, carbohydrates and fats, as well as vitamins and minerals, all play a role in developing strong muscles. Natural herbs and plant food sources such as lentils, spinach, parsley and even popcorn are healthy additions to a diet to build muscle strength.

Beans

Protein is the building block for muscle repair, and a necessary component of a diet to support strength-building exercise. However, eating loads of protein alone does not improve muscle strength. Meat delivers a lot of protein in a small serving, but it also includes unhealthy saturated fats. Beans cooked in soups, casseroles or blended and served as hummus, bean dip or a sandwich spread provide protein, along with fiber, vitamins and minerals.

 

Greens

Iron carries oxygen to muscle cells, helping them function, repair and grow. Iron depletion can occur at the beginning of a strength training regimen, leading to exhaustion, according to Christopher Newton University. Dark leafy greens such as spinach, wild bitter greens such as nettle and dandelion, and the herb parsley are high in iron content. The vitamin C in these plants helps makes the iron easier to absorb, and unlike red meat sources of iron, these natural plants and herbs are low in calories and fat.

Grains

Carbohydrates provide the fuel muscles need to function efficiently. Adults who are strength training should take in about half their daily calories as carbs, according to the American Dietetic Association. Whole grains such as brown rice, oatmeal and whole-grain breads are the best sources of complex carbs that will provide a slow, steady fuel supply to muscles, along with a wealth of vitamins and minerals. For a low-calorie, high-carb, whole-grain snack, try popcorn: Three cups of air-popped corn supply a single serving of carbs to fuel muscles with no fat and minimal calories.

Nuts

Fat fuels muscles when they are under stress, such as during strength training exercises. Fats are calorie-dense, and fats from meat sources or hydrogenated oils can lead to cardiovascular health problems. About 35 percent of daily calories for people doing strength training should come from healthy fats such as walnuts, pistachios and almonds, according to the American Dietetic Association. In addition to bolstering muscle strength, eating nuts regularly can decrease risk of heart disease, according to the Iowa State University Extension.

Chinese Cold Fighting Remedy

If you are at the beginning stages of a cold make sure you are drinking plenty of water. You can do some physical activity depending on how you are feeling to help stimulates the release of toxins through your skin as you sweat. Don’t overdo it though. You can also use this Chinese remedy to help sweat out the toxins.

Ingredients:

 

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients to pot with water.
  2. Bring to boil and then let simmer for 4 minutes.
  3. Strain the tea and drink one cup every hour.
  4. Get some rest as you begin to sweat out your cold.