Embrace National Nutrition Month with These 6 Superfoods

Your child wakes 15 minutes late, rushes through his morning routine, and grabs a toaster pastry as he bolts out the door and into the car. You sigh as you look over your shoulder at the scrambled eggs and glass of milk you prepared. Chances are you have encountered this scenario on more than one occasion and wish you could give your child something nutritious to eat on the run instead of the packaged standbys, especially realizing the simple sugars he is consuming will wear out before he enters his classroom. Research has proven adequate nutrition will maintain a constant level of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates your child will need to feel comfortable, sated, and confident when he tackles the day ahead. Choosing nutritious foods is easy enough, but choosing great, portable foods is more difficult. The Diocese of Orlando’s schools in Polk County have a list of portable superfoods that are sure to please!

• Eggs: Portable? Sure! Boil a dozen, and pop a few in a baggie with a packet of salt. Eggs are a fantastic source of protein and will keep your child energized much longer than a toaster pastry.
• Oatmeal bars: Many natural oatmeal bars have only a few ingredients (oats, honey, nuts, dried fruit) and contain long-chain carbohydrates that take much longer to digest than simple sugars.
• Fruits: Sweet, tangy, crunchy, juicy… This satisfies most of your child’s cravings. Packed with vitamins and minerals, many fruits contain antioxidants, which keep your cells healthy.
• Nuts: To fulfill protein requirements for vegetarians, nuts are the perfect alternative. Portable proteins such as nuts provide a filling snack with “good” cholesterol.
• Blueberries: Packed with antioxidants, blueberries prevent heart disease and diabetes as they improve brain function. Blend blueberries, yogurt, and honey and freeze as ice pops for a cool summertime snack.
• Add-ons: Dark cocoa, cinnamon, and basil are all superfoods easily added to other foods to boost your child’s performance. Dark cocoa contains high concentrations of flavonoids, which improve blood pressure, oral and heart health, and prevent sun damage. Cinnamon regulates blood sugar, smells like French toast, and is simple to sprinkle on any sweet food. Basil is a wonderful smelling herb containing vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, potassium, and calcium. Use fresh or dried basil in pasta dishes, in salads, or on meats.

Keeping your children healthy in today’s fast-paced world is not easy. These ideas from the Diocese of Orlando can easily replace the toaster pastries and potato chips in your cabinet. By removing unhealthy snacks from the pantry, your children attending schools in Polk County will naturally turn to what is available and find they enjoy eating healthy! For more information on keeping your children performing at their best, read our blog page or contact the Diocese at 407-246-4800 or online.