Nutrition Secrets for Active Families

How do you balance solid nutrition with a hectic lifestyle? That’s the dilemma of parents everywhere as they race to drive kids to soccer, school, and birthday parties.

Or maybe the teen years have hit already—along with acne, hormones, and dreadful eating habits. Regardless of age, it’s possible to fill in the nutritional gaps in fast and easy ways with whole foods and supplements.

Quick pick-you-up

Instead of skipping breakfast, make a whole food smoothie that the whole family can enjoy. Mix two to four scoops of a whole-food meal replacer with three to four cups of water, juice, or milks from help, almond, or brown rice. Serves 4.

Meal replacement mixes should contain a full day’s recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals along with complete proteins, fibre, essential fats, antioxidants, probiotics, enzymes, and superfood green powders such as chlorella.

You can also add berries and ice. Another suggestion is to choose a pre-made smoothie formula where only water is needed for a creamy drink. Kids could take this in a Thermos. It works for a snack or as the replacement for something sweet.

Nutritious snacks

For the discerning lunchbox, whole food bars are a way to supply kids with essential nutrients and still make it seem like a treat.

Organic whole food bars contain sprouted grains, seeds, berries, and essential fats. They’re teeming with enzymes, fibres, and antioxidants and are a healthy protein source.

Whole food bars represent the perfect mid-day treat at the office, too, especially the decadent chocolate varieties. Rather than hit the typical 3 pm crash, you’ll be ready and raring with high quality nutrition to hit the rest of the day’s activities.

Why it’s important

Thirty percent of respondents to Maclean’s 2011 health survey reported they always or sometimes skipped breakfast, and 20 percent said they often skipped lunch.

Missing meals causes changes in blood sugar regulation, which can, over time, lead to diabetes. People with low blood sugar as a result of not eating may also find cognitive tasks more difficult because the brain needs fuel to function.

Skipping breakfast is also associated with higher rates of overweight and obesity in adults, youths, and children.

The best way to avoid skipping meals while filling your nutritional coffers is with whole food mixes and bars. Make them part of your lifestyle and feel the boost in energy and vitality they bring.