YMCA Healthy Living Magazine, powered by n4 food and health Spring 2018 | Page 16

JOEL FEREN, APD, AN
Joel is The Nutrition Guy (TNG), an Accredited Practising Dietitian and
Accredited Nutritionist. He regularly consults to the food industry and in private
practice, helping clients to achieve improved health with good nutrition. Learn
more at thenutritionguy.com.au
FIVE TIPS
TO FUEL YOUR
KIDS FOR SCHOOL
Growing bodies and learning minds require the
right amount of fuel and nutrients to maximise their
potential. Nutrition expert Joel Feren explains.
rming your little ones with nourishing foods to
get them through the school day can be
difficult, but there are some guaranteed ways
to ensure your child’s lunchbox is filled with fun,
appealing, tasty and nutritious foods.
A
Include healthy snacks
Fresh unprocessed foods are the gold standard.
Including fresh fruit instead of fruit bars, or cheese and
wholegrain crackers rather than pre-packaged cheese
dips and white biscuits, are far better nutritional options.
Data published in 2005 reported that on average,
Australian primary school children had three processed
food snacks in their lunchbox every day. Some healthy
alternatives might be fruit (no surprises there), vegetable
sticks with salsa or hummus dip, low added sugar
yoghurt and milk drinks, homemade air-popped
popcorn (sprinkle with dry herbs rather than butter and
salt), handful of unsalted nuts, baked beans, a hard-
boiled egg or tinned fish.
Stay hydrated with H 2 O
Water is the gold standard option for school lunches.
It hydrates, helps the body maintain its vital functions,
supports dental health, and is cheap; so there’s no
need to go beyond your own tap when filling up your
drink bottle each morning.
YOU’LL NEVER HEAR A DIETITIAN
REFER TO FOOD AS ‘GOOD’ OR ‘BAD’.
THEY PREFER TO USE TERMS LIKE
‘SOMETIMES’ AND ‘EVERYDAY’ FOODS.
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YMCA HEALTHY LIVING MAGAZINE SPRING 2018