Hello August!
This month is the perfect time get kids back on track with their healthy routines as they head back to school. In honor of the occasion, we are recognizing Kids Eat Right Month, which emphasizes the importance of healthy eating, physical activity, and sleep.
As a reminder, children should eat a variety of different foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean protein sources. In addition, water or low-fat milk should be chosen more often than sugary beverages, like soda, sweet tea, flavored milks, sports drinks, lemonade, energy drinks, and juices. Children who eat lunch at any AISD school are sure to have the option of all of these foods per meal. Children should also aim to be active for at least 60 minutes a day. This does not necessarily have to be scheduled exercise but could include playing outside, riding a bike, swimming or dancing.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends the following amount of sleep per age group per night: preschoolers 10-13 hrs, school age children 9-11 hrs, and teens 8-10 hrs. Too much or too little sleep can lead to imbalances in hormones that can negatively impact overall health.
I hope you have a wonderful start to the new school year!
Sources:
https://www.sleepdr.com/the-sleep-blog/new-guidelines-how-much-sleep-do-you-need
Written by Victoria Luera, Lone Star Circle of Care Registered Dietitian. Published by Ashley Wild.
