SUPERMARKETGURU FOOD &
HEALTH WEEKLY NEWSFLASH!
Back to School!
Published on: August 28, 2008
It's back to school time again, and many families are preparing their children with supplies, new school clothes, and trying to figure out just what to pack in those school lunch boxes! What foods our kids will eat, which ones offer the best nutrition, and which ones are affordable now that food prices are at the highest levels in the past 30 years!
One of the most important learnings to share with our kids is all about their healthier eating. After all, it is no mystery that obesity levels in school age children are the highest ever and that healthy eating habits have been proven to contribute to higher rates of success in school age kids. The combination of higher food prices, the obesity epidemic and our desire for on the go foods has influenced the food industry to make new foods that satisfy these needs. Here are my picks for the school year 2008!
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches might well be the ultimate BTS food!
But this year there is Back to School Naturally More(tm) Peanut Butter - Naturally More(tm) Peanut Butter features flaxseed for Omega-3 essential fatty acids, wheat germ for fiber, and egg-whites for lean protein. Naturally More(tm) easily differentiates itself from other natural peanut butters with the added benefits of Omega-3, fewer calories than other peanut butters, with 25% more protein, and 50% more fiber. Fortified with these powerful ingredients, Naturally More(tm) provides all the protein and essential fats needed to keep the body naturally balanced. Available in two varieties: Original and Organic, Naturally More(tm) contains heart healthy wheat germ, flaxseed, flax oil, egg whites, Omega 3 and Omega 6. Suggested Retail $4.49 www.naturallymore.com
Lunchables changed the way kids eat – and boy, have they come a long way from tiny sized foods in yellow plastic compartment trays! New Lunchables Fun Pack Wrapz meet Kraft's Sensible Solution guidelines and are available in two varieties: Grilled Chicken (two wheat tortillas, grilled chicken, mild taco sauce, ranch sauce, Nestle Crunch, and Capri Sun 25% less sugar Fruit Punch), Beef Taco (two wheat tortillas, seasoned ground beef filling, a blend of Kraft 2% milk natural reduced fat mozzarella and non-fat cheddar shredded cheeses, mild taco sauce, an Airheads treat, and Capri Sun Roarin' Waters Wild Cherry). Retails for $2.59 www.lunchablesmom.com
Brown colored bubbled beverages are so yesterday. Today it's all about the Froose, an alternative to those high sugar juice boxes for kids. Froose is a unique and one-of-a-kind whole food beverage which combines organic whole grains and fruit to create a juice that is naturally low in sugar and contains 3 grams of fiber (made from brown rice) and inulin. Inulin is plant based polysaccharides (several simple sugars linked together). Inulin also increases calcium absorption and promoting good intestinal bacteria. Froose comes in three flavors: Playful Peach, Perfect Pear, and Cheerful Cherry. Kids will think they're drinking the same old sugary juice - but yet it's completely organic, nutritious, low in sugar, and provides the fiber, vitamins and complex carbohydrates for bone and muscle growth. Retails for 75c for 4.23fl oz. www.froose.com
And for those afternoon meals when the kids get home ...
Kids love chicken nuggets, and just imagine how much money you can save and give your kids a better tasting and healthier alternative to what they can find at the local fast foodery. A bag of Banquet Chicken Breast Nuggets is around the same price as many fast-food chicken nuggets but you get more than four times the amount of food. In the Banquet Chicken Nuggets bag you get more than 40 white-meat nuggets for (under $4) and are made with real white meat chicken and come in a resealable bag, so you can use what you need and put the rest back in the freezer for another time. www.banquet.com
Want to offer your kids more exotic flavors? PLUM ORGANICS Kids Meals are designed to fuel the specific health needs of kids, and also includes 32mg of DHA - an Omega3 important for brain and eye development. Bowtie Pasta with Sweet Potato Sauce (side of edamame, corn and red bell peppers) Rainbow Veggie Shells with Parmesan Sauce (side of peas and carrots) Cheese filled Spinach Tortellini with Marinara (side of peas and carrots) Italian Sausage Marinara over Multigrain Pasta (side of peas, sweet corn, green beans and carrots) cooks in just 3 minutes. Retails for $4.49 www.plumorganics.com
And for snacking ...
LiveActive Chewy Granola Bars - the first-ever, non-refrigerated snack bar containing a live probiotic culture and fiber. These new bars, the latest addition to the LiveActive line from Kraft, provide an easy and tasty way to promote digestive health while on the go. Available in three flavors: Peanut Butter, Chocolate Raspberry, Blueberry Almond. $3.59/5-count box www.LiveActiveFoods.com
Oatmeal on the Run - Country Choice Organic, a leading national maker of organic oatmeal and cookies, has created a healthful organic treat called Oatmeal on the Run. A whole bowl of instant oatmeal is baked into every soft and chewy 'grab and go' bar. Available in three flavors - Oatmeal Raisin, Maple, and Apple Cinnamon. While formulated as a convenient breakfast, Oatmeal on the Run is also a perfect snack for kids running to sports and activities, family outings, hiking ... you name it. Suggested retail for the five count package is $3.79 to $4.19. www.countrychoiceorganic.com
Enjoy Life Foods Boom CHOCO Boom Bar - the first dairy, nut, AND soy-free chocolate bar. Until now, most packaged chocolate bars were strictly off limits to anyone with food allergies because of the ingredients used and/or the prevalence of nut warnings. Boom Choco Boom bars are made from dairy-free rice milk as opposed to cow's milk, and are made in a dedicated nut and gluten-free facility so most everyone can enjoy them. Available in three chocolaty varieties: Boom CHOCO Boom Dairy-Free Rice Milk, Boom CHOCO Boom Dairy-Free Rice Milk with Crispy Rice, and Boom CHOCO Boom Dark Chocolate. Suggested retail $1.79 for 1.4-ounce bar. www.enjoylifefoods.com
And to make sure that those lunches are as fresh as when mom made them there are the Fit and Fresh SYSTEM Food Containers:
Lunch Chiller ($9.99) - designed to take a sandwich, wrap or entrée for lunch and a portion side dish. Built around a "Removable Ice Ring" which snaps into the underside of the lid to keep food fresh and chilled until ready to eat.
Lunch on the Go Container ($9.99) - This container keeps foods fresh for 6 hours. www.fit-fresh.com
And just a two questions that you should ask yourself which may help you decide what to serve your children:
• Are you providing your child with three well-balanced meals per day at regular times?
• Are you aware of what they are eating and how much when they are at school?
As a result of many of today's working moms and both parents leading busy lives, many may admit that they have no idea what their children are eating while at school. For some parents, their children consume two out of three meals per day at school. And the responsibility falls to our kids, by default.
Some schools teach nutrition education, however it is the parents' role to lead their children in the right direction with healthy eating decisions.
Here are some of my suggestions:
• Make meals fun and exciting. Kids will want to stay at the dinner table longer and enjoy their mealtime.
• Bring your child grocery shopping with you. Pick and choose foods to go in the lunch box together.
• Prepare for your weekly meals in advance. Don't buy food at the last minute. You may end up just buying whatever is available, instead of stopping to think of what foods are healthy.
• Be patient with your child's eating habits. Kids are picky. They may not want to try five new foods at once. However, they may be more willing to try one new food per week.
• Make sure your child is taking a multiple vitamin. If you are not sure if he or she is getting all of the nutrients needed, a multiple vitamin is very beneficial for children. No other vitamin or mineral supplements are necessary, unless your doctor or registered dietitian has recommended additional supplementation.
• Network with the mom's in the neighborhood on their meal selections. Find out what they are feeding their children. You may grab some great ideas for your kid's lunchbox!
• Keep track of new products available at your local supermarket. Numerous manufacturers have already begun to develop and deliver healthy products that are now available in your local grocery store. Keep your eyes open. There may be a product that both you and your children will enjoy!
One of the most effective ways of encouraging nutritious eating in children is for the whole family to make adjustments in their eating habits and the kinds of foods that fill the refrigerator and cabinets, "back-to-school" is a great opportunity for the entire family's healthy food makeover.
And for more new back to school foods, check out www.ratefoods.com.
