Families are back to school – virtual learning from home, as well as in the classroom in 2020. It’s important to remember to properly fuel your family for these busy days of learning.

What should parents keep in mind?

Whether kids are learning at home or in the classroom, fueling for the school day is important. For both parents and kids, food provides nutrients that power our brain – impacting our mood, energy and our ability to focus. When packing kids’ lunches, combine different food groups together to provide nutritional balance. Include both fiber and protein to keep bellies full during learning. Examples: Banana and Peanut Butter Wrap, Yogurt with fruit and granola, or Cheese sticks with crackers, hummus and veggies. If you’re at home, group these foods together ahead of time and arrange them in a "lunch box" placed at your child’s eye-view in the refrigerator to make it easy for them to grab what they need and get to eating in order to make full use of their midday break.

And parents, fuel yourself too! I know a lot of us won't have time to prepare something fresh, but don’t forget to eat during the rush of the day! Keep convenience items on hand that make nutritional choices easy. Swap out your morning coffee for a ready-to-drink protein shake with a side of fruit providing that protein + fiber combo, or make your coffee go farther by making it a “Pro-fee.” A bagged salad with tuna and whole grain toast can satisfy for lunch and be prepped in mere minutes. Eating the right balance for fuel doesn’t have to be complicated when you have short cuts like these on hand!