5 Healthy Back-to-School Tips | Faulkner's Drug Store

As we head into yet another new school year, now is a great time to think about proper school day nutrition. Faulkner’s Drug Store wants to help make the back-to-school transition smoother with these five simple tips.

Push the H2O.
When we’re dehydrated, we struggle to think clearly. Dehydration also negatively impacts our energy and mood. To make sure your kids are consuming plenty of water each day, both in school and at home, try adding freshly squeezed citrus fruits, sliced up cucumbers or berries for more flavor.

Start children’s probiotics.
Did you know that 80% of the immune system is located in the gut? In fact, sugar and processed foods can quickly compromise immunity because they throw off the balance of good bacteria in our guts. Consider adding probiotics to your child’s everyday diet by offering fermented foods such as yogurt or kefir, and a probiotic supplement to support a good mood, better sleep and a healthy immune system.

Boost brain health with fish oils.
Kids need healthy fats every day to support their brain health and encourage a positive mood, better attention and focus, as well as a healthy metabolism and immune system. Fish and fish oil are rich especially rich in the omega-3 fatty acid DHA–essential for brain and eye development.

Up fiber intake.
Make sure your child gets plenty of fiber from fruits, vegetables, and seeds like chia, flax or hemp. Adequate fiber supports good bacteria in the body, which then allows us to efficiently absorb our food, stabilize blood sugar, and avoid constipation.

Foster quality sleep.
Proper nightly sleep will benefit your child’s mood, behavior and attention span. Kids between 6 and 13 years of age usually need about 9 to 11 hours of sleep each night. Foster healthy sleep habits by keeping a regular bedtime routine, removing screens like phones and tablets from your child’s bedroom, and use room darkening shades.

As you’re preparing for another great school year, be sure to stop by the drug store to stock up on all your wellness needs. And stay updated with the latest health and wellness news by liking us on Facebook!