Food for the Fast Lane

Tips for healthy take-along food to start the school year off right

Hockey. Dance. Piano. Karate. Soccer. Homework. Family time.

Now, balance all of these commitments while trying to provide healthy meals and snacks for your family.

Easy? Not at all. Busy parents today know this balancing act all too well and still try to prepare healthy meals and snacks.

As the back to school season approaches, many parents see this as an opportunity to reflect on how to provide nutritious yet convenient meals and snacks for their children.

With children and adults struggling to eat the minimum requirements in the milk products and vegetables and fruit food groups of Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating, it is more important than ever to strive to provide nutritious take-along food instead of hitting the drive-thru window.

Eating the recommended servings from the food groups is more likely to happen with food prepared at home and has its benefits.

People who get the recommended servings in their meals and snacks perform better at school, work and play; have healthier weights; eat more essential nutrients; lower their risk of chronic disease such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis; have better emotional health, energy, appetite control, and immune systems.

So how do parents provide nutritious meals and snacks, especially while merging back into the fast lane of the back to school season? We've put together a few resources to provide some great ideas. Food in the Fast Lane Resources

Disclaimer
Reviewed by Alberta clinical experts. Brought to you by HealthLink Alberta. Copyright.
This material is designed for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction and/or treatment. For more health advice call Capital Health Link at 780-408-LINK (5465) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In Alberta, call Toll-free: 1-866-408-LINK (5465)