All About Food and Life Skills

This newsletter is for everyone! Focusing on important life skill topics: nutrition, food tips, self-esteem, and mental health. Educators~ Are you looking for something specific? Scroll down to, "What Resources Are You Looking For?"

Providing healthy food options for elementary children is essential for their growth, development, and overall well-being. Here are some ideas for balanced meals and snacks that are nutritious, kid-friendly, and easy to prepare:

1. Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Oatmeal with Toppings: Cook oats and top with fresh fruits like berries, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of nuts or seeds.

Whole-Grain Pancakes/Waffles: Use whole-grain flour and top with peanut butter, bananas, or fresh berries instead of syrup.

Egg Muffins: Make mini egg muffins with spinach, bell peppers, and cheese for a grab-and-go breakfast.

Smoothie: Blend a smoothie with spinach, bananas, berries, Greek yogurt, and a little milk or water. Sneak in some veggies like spinach or carrots.

Whole-Wheat Toast with Avocado: Add a boiled egg or slices of turkey for protein.

2. Healthy Lunchbox Ideas

Turkey or Chicken Wrap: Use whole-grain tortillas, lean turkey or chicken slices, lettuce, tomato, and a little hummus or avocado spread.

Veggie and Cheese Roll-Ups: Use whole-wheat wraps and fill them with cucumbers, bell peppers, shredded carrots, and cheese slices.

DIY Lunchables: Whole-grain crackers, lean turkey slices, low-fat cheese cubes, and sliced veggies like cucumbers and cherry tomatoes.

Quinoa Salad: A simple salad with quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and a light olive oil dressing. Add beans or shredded chicken for protein.

Whole-Grain Pasta Salad: Mix cooked whole-grain pasta with cherry tomatoes, spinach, olives, and a bit of olive oil and lemon juice.

3. Healthy Snack Ideas

Apple Slices with Peanut Butter: A classic snack that's high in fiber and healthy fats.

Carrot Sticks and Hummus: A great source of veggies and plant-based protein.

Greek Yogurt with Honey and Berries: Choose unsweetened Greek yogurt for a higher protein snack.

Trail Mix: A mix of nuts, dried fruit, and a few dark chocolate chips. Be mindful of portion size.

Cheese and Whole-Grain Crackers: Opt for whole-grain crackers and low-fat cheese cubes.

Veggie Sticks: Slices of bell peppers, cucumbers, and baby carrots paired with a dip like hummus or tzatziki.

4. Healthy Dinner Ideas for Kids

Baked Chicken Tenders: Coat chicken tenders in whole-wheat breadcrumbs or crushed oats and bake instead of frying. Serve with steamed veggies.

Mini Veggie Pizzas: Use whole-wheat pita or English muffins as the base. Let kids add their own veggie toppings like bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, and tomatoes.

Taco Night: Use whole-grain tortillas, lean ground turkey or chicken, and a variety of toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and black beans.

Stir-Fry with Brown Rice: Sauté lean protein (chicken, shrimp, or tofu) with a mix of veggies (broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas) and serve with brown rice.

Veggie and Cheese Quesadillas: Use whole-wheat tortillas and fill with a mix of veggies and cheese. Serve with guacamole or salsa.

5. Healthy Desserts

Fruit Salad: A simple mix of seasonal fruits like strawberries, blueberries, grapes, and melons.

Frozen Yogurt Bark: Spread Greek yogurt on a baking sheet, sprinkle with berries and nuts, and freeze for a fun, healthy treat.

Banana Ice Cream: Blend frozen bananas until smooth and creamy. You can add a spoonful of peanut butter or a few dark chocolate chips.

Homemade Popsicles: Freeze 100% fruit juice or a smoothie mix in popsicle molds for a refreshing treat.

Baked Apples with Cinnamon: Bake apple slices with a sprinkle of cinnamon for a naturally sweet and healthy dessert.

6. Drinks

Water: Always the best choice! Add a slice of lemon or a few berries for flavor.

Milk: Low-fat or non-dairy options (like almond or oat milk) for calcium and vitamin D.

Smoothies: A great way to sneak in extra fruits and vegetables.

100% Fruit Juice: (in moderation): Limit juice to avoid excess sugar, but a small serving of 100% fruit juice can be a nice addition.

Tips for Encouraging Healthy Eating:

Make Food Fun: Use cookie cutters to shape sandwiches, fruits, or veggies. Arrange foods in fun patterns or themes.

Involve Kids: Let them help prepare meals. They’ll be more likely to try foods they helped make.

Offer a Variety of Colors: Bright, colorful meals tend to be more appealing and often include a range of nutrients.

Be a Role Model: Children often mimic adults. When they see you eating healthy, they are more likely to follow suit.

That’s It Fruit Bars: These bars have only two ingredients—real fruit, no added sugar.
Kirkland Organic Dried Mangoes: A naturally sweet snack with no added sugars.
Bare Baked Crunchy Apple Chips: These are just baked apples, nothing else added.
Raisins (Organic): A simple, naturally sweet snack rich in iron.

Kirkland Signature Soft & Chewy Granola Bars: Made with whole grains and oats, a kid-favorite snack.
RXBAR Kids: These bars are made with simple ingredients like dates, nuts, and egg whites, and contain no added sugar.
Annie's Organic Cheddar Bunnies: Whole-grain crackers with a cheesy flavor, and organic ingredients.
Simple Mills Crackers: Gluten-free, made with almond flour, and light on preservatives.

Late July Organic Multigrain Tortilla Chips: These chips are made with chia, quinoa, and other grains.
Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs: Crunchy, light puffs made from chickpeas, providing fiber and protein.
Harvest Snaps Pea Crisps: A crunchy, veggie-based snack made from snap peas.
Whisps Parmesan Cheese Crisps: Crunchy, cheesy snacks made entirely from baked cheese.

Nutrition Bundle

The Nutrition Bundle is a resource designed to promote healthy and active lifestyles by offering comprehensive insights into balanced diets, exercise routines, and food-based nutrients. It equips educators with the necessary tools and knowledge to inspire students to make significant and positive changes in their physical and mental well-being.

Vegetable Recipe, Plan, & Graphic Organizer

This is an easy beginning recipe. It is amazing how many kids have never peeled a carrot! This purchase is awesome as it is all organized for getting students ready for the lab! Editable to meet the needs of your students.

Roasted Vegetable Lab

Healthy Cooking! This is a great family and consumer science (FACS) recipe for a beginning cook. The recipe includes directions, yield, nutrition facts, cooking tips, and a line for students to write who is responsible for each cooking step.

Students love this recipe and it is fairly fail-proof.

This resource is editable, you can adjust materials to your student’s needs. Formats include Word and PDF.