Easy Back to School Hacks with Dietitian Christelle Bedrossian

To make the transition into an easy, healthy new season, Dietitian Christelle Bedrossian shared with us her routine this fall. From her favorite daily rituals to tips on meal prepping for the entire family, her advice will get you excited for the start of a new season.

• What are your favorite daily routines during “Back to school “ season?

Preparing breakfast for the kids since breakfast is the main meal of the day! It provides the brain and body with fuel after an overnight fast. Having breakfast improves memory and concentration. Kids who don’t eat in the morning can’t focus properly, become more tired and are more likely to eat junk food during the day.

• What are the daily routines you want to get better about (or want to try) in the fall?

We tend to do most everything for our kids when they are little, and sometimes we just stay in that habit even as they get older. So maybe this fall is an ideal time to take a look at my kids skills and see if they are ready to help me prepare their healthy breakfast. When kids are involved in the preparation of their meals they tend to eat better.

• How does LivGood Online Market make it easy to stick to a new routine?

Livgood makes it easy to have a variety of healthy foods on hand and helps avoid last minute hassles.

Livgood has a wide range of healthy snacks with special discounts making them affordable during these tough times.

• What is your advice for moms during back-to-school season?

1. The most important thing is to fuel the minds and the bodies of their children. Nutrition plays an important role in promoting a successful year for kids. Proper nutrition gives energy, resilience and self esteem which boost their learning ability.
2. Preparing or at least planning nutritious breakfast, lunch and snacks each day in advance prevents last-minute hassles and wrong choices.
3. Variety and moderation are keys to a proper nutrition.

• What are the snacks and treats that they should always keep on hand?

To keep going between meals, children need plenty of snacks to refuel their small stomachs. However, these snacks should be nutritious and not high in calories, fat or sugar:

- Ready-to-eat fruits

- Cut up vegetables

- Whole grain crackers

- Homemade popcorn

- Whole-grain cereal

- Dried fruits

- Low fat yogurt

- Raw nuts

• What recipes do you think kids love and crave throughout the school year?

Here are some yummy lunches that kids love and crave:

1. Tortilla wraps with shredded cheese, chopped chicken, and cut up vegetables.
2. Baked chicken nuggets with baked potatoes.
3. Whole-wheat crackers with low-fat yogurt and fruits.
4. Whole-grain bread or crackers with peanut butter and vegetables or fruits
5. Whole-grain bread with hummus and cherry tomatoes.

• What are your top tips for planning out meals for the week?

1. Every parent has had a barely touched lunch box returned back to home. It’s a common complaint. The solution is certainly & simply getting your kids involved in planning their own lunch, since it is known that kids who help plan and prepare their lunch are more likely to eat it.
2. Pack a lunch which includes at least three of the four food groups (milk, meat, fruits & veggies, bread & cereals).
3. Involve your kids in the planning by asking your child to make a list of their favorite foods from nutritious choices and make sure to use it.