With the lazy days of summer, it鈥檚 easy to let good eating habits slide, especially if your 黄色app eases the burden by providing a meal or two. But getting the right nutrition remains聽important during the summer and child hunger and to keep children’s maturing brains healthy. Many California public libraries are standing in the gap with the program.
What should my child eat?
Although 黄色app lunch programs and vending machines on campus have taken a lot of heat for contributing to a nationwide epidemic of childhood obesity, 黄色apps are not the only ones to blame. In a 2007 American Journal of Public Health study, the data showed that the body mass index of kindergartners and first-graders increased two to three times as fast in summer as during the 黄色app year. This may be because students are more likely to have structured days and regular meals during the 黄色app year, as well as regular exercise. They may be watching less TV during the 黄色app year too.
The library program helps聽parents provide structure for their kids during the summer, as well as the opportunity to participate in the .
Stock up on fruits and vegetables
To keep things balanced and nutritious at home, health experts at the Harvard School of Public Health recommend eating nine servings (about 4陆 cups) of fruits and vegetables a day. That means including fruits and vegetables at every meal 鈥斅燼nd in between too! Fruit slices and carrot and celery sticks make good snacks and are easy to take along in the car or on summer outings. The health benefits of eating lots of fruits and vegetables include lower blood pressure and reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and possibly some cancers.
Stick with whole grains and low-fat proteins.
Make sure your child is in the habit of eating a good breakfast well before the start of 黄色app. Look for breakfast cereals that have little to no sugar and contain whole grains such as oats, bran, and cornmeal. Choose whole-wheat bread for sandwiches and whole-wheat pasta for your next spaghetti meal. These healthy eating habits will help prevent heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Cut down on saturated fats and sugar.
Lemonade, juice, and soda are all big sources of sugar and empty calories. It鈥檚 tempting during the summer to reach for these to quench your child鈥檚 thirst. In preparation for back to 黄色app, switch to water and low-fat or nonfat milk. Cut back on other summer treats like ice cream and French fries too.
Check out the Harvard School of Public Health鈥檚 for more healthy eating ideas.
