The Doctor Is In: Kids & Back to School

WJBK - Join Deena Centofanti and our experts from Beaumont Health System Wednesday, as they help get your children ready for Back to School . From adjusting their sleep schedule to dealing with anxiety, join the chat room and share your questions.

Our experts:
Dr. Kelly Levasseur
Pediatric Emergency, Beaumont Health System

Christa Byrd
Clinical Dietitian, Beaumont Health System

When packing school lunches, here's some tips for making the morning rush a little smoother.

1. Pack-It the night before, scratch that The WEEKEND before.
2.Think healthy plate, lunchbox
    ¼ protein, ¼ grain, ½ fruits and veggies
3.Get the kids involved!!!

Plan Ahead
Do your shopping over the weekend, prep and package your foods and put these foods in the lunch-box only zone.
Wash, cut and package all of your fruits, veggies and snacks.
This includes the ones the kids are supposed to grab after school.
Make healthy foods eye-level in the fridge and easy to grab.
Put fresh fruits and veggies on the table so the kids can munch on healthy foods as soon as they walk in the door.

The Health Divide
The quick, easy, packaged foods usually fall into the starches category. Remember to include plenty of fruits and veggies. They boost brain power, improve satiety and they add color and variety.

Involve the Kids
The prep process can be time consuming too, but Many hands make light work so even the little ones can help - have them pluck the grapes off the vine for washing, or put the carrots into containers.
If kids are packing their own lunch bags, develop guidelines.

Tips: Most fruits come in containers with holes (think blueberries etc.) but they stay fresher when kept in airtight containers. Fruits like apples can be cut the night before and sprinkled with fruit fresh found in the canning section of your grocery store.

Granola Bar Recipe

1 cup honey
¾ cup nut butter
1 cup chocolate chips
½ cup almonds chopped
½ cup cashews chopped
2 cups oatmeal
2 cups crispy rice cereal
1/3 cup flaxseed meal

Directions:
1. Over low heat, heat the honey and nut butter I a medium sauce pan
2. Remove the pan from heat when the consistency is smooth
3. Add half cup chocolate chips to the mixture
4. In a large bowl, combine the remaining chocolate chips with the almonds, cashews, oatmeal, crispy rice cereal and flax seed meal.
5. Pour the contents of the pan over the dry ingredients in the bowl and mix well to coat.
6. Put the contents of the bowl into a 9x13 inch glass baking dish.
7. Spread and press to create an even layer.
8. Cut into rectangular bars when cooled.

Nutrition:
127 calories, 6g fat, 55mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, 3g protein
Yield: 36 bars