Healthy Back To School Habits Part I

Welcome to Healthy Back to School Habits Part 1 with my friend, Loisann Fowler of Coach in Tandem! As the new school year approaches, we want to ensure our children are set up for success both in and out of the classroom. Today, Loisann and I will discuss two crucial areas: improving your child’s nutrition and ensuring they get quality sleep. Let’s explore some practical, easy-to-implement tips that will make a big difference in your child’s health and well-being.

I know life is busy, and meeting our healthy habits goals can be difficult when school picks back up. That’s why now is a perfect time to consider five easy foundational non-negotiables we can incorporate into our homes before school starts.

In part one of Healthy Back to School Habits, Loisann and I focus on eating real foods and getting quality sleep. Let’s start with eating real food.

Healthy Back to School Habits: Eat Real Food

What do you mean when you say eat real food? It’s simple. It means foods with no labels. No additives, food coloring, or added sugars. According to Mark Hyman, there is no such thing as “junk food.” There is junk, and there is food. What we are talking about here is real food. Food that nourishes your body and gives your child energy. How do we know if food is good?

• Check labels. It might take a little time initially, but you will quickly find products that are better options for your children.
• Choose fresh fruits and vegetables to have available for lunches and snack time.
• Limit processed, pastries, or boxed goods as much as possible.
• Introduce new natural food every day to expand your children’s palates.

Studies show that children who eat real food perform better, think clearer, and experience a general sense of well-being. What foods should our children eat?

Include 3 Foods Everyday

When we create our weekly meal plan, let’s focus on serving:

• High-quality proteins
• Healthy fats
• Good Carbohydrates

By simply starting with these three food groups, we can have peace of mind knowing our children’s bodies are receiving the nutrients they need to thrive.

Healthy Back to School Habits: Quality Sleep

Understanding why children need quality sleep and getting them to get that sleep

• Sleep allows our brain to repair damaged cells.
• Hormones are rebalanced and reset during sleep cycles.
• Sleep allows our brain to destress from the activities of the day.
• Muscle and bone strength occur during sleep.
• Emotional regulation happens while we sleep.
• Knowledge is stored in our long-term memory when we sleep.

One of the best ways to ensure our children function optimally is to ensure they sleep for an appropriate number of hours.

Healthy Back to School Habits Matter

The little habits you implement today will yield huge rewards in your children’s future. Remember, they trust you to take care of them. Children don’t instinctively know what is good for them. You create an environment where they can truly thrive by creating healthy back-to-school habits, serving your children real food, and teaching them the importance of getting adequate sleep.

Thank you for joining us today! We’re so glad you’re here and committed to helping your child succeed. Stay tuned for Part 2 of our Healthy Back to School Habits series, where we’ll discuss three more easy, healthy habits to support your child’s success. Remember, every small step you take makes a big difference. You’ve got this!

About Loisann Fowler

Loisann Flower is a nationally board-certified functional medicine health coach. She helps people
from teens to 90-somethings uncover and achieve their highest wellness in body, mind,
and spirit. There is a gap between our level of health today and where we want to be.
Loisann’s coaching bridges that gap, discovering lasting practices for a strong and
energetic life.