To the Editor,
It's back to school time for our province's youth and as parents we are responsible for helping our children get ready for the upcoming year. While equipping our kids with pencils, pens and notebooks are often our top priority, we should also be planning on how to fuel their expanding minds with nutritious facts.
One of the best things you can do to prepare your child for school is give them a healthy breakfast and lunch. A large portion of calories consumed by youth comes from fats, sugars and sweetened drinks. With busy schedules it can be difficult to purchase and prepare healthy meals and snacks, but by making that extra effort you are providing your children with the needed nutrients and vitamins for optimal growth.
To maintain a healthy diet, children should eat a variety of foods including cereals, grain products, vegetables, and fruit. They should avoid eating foods with high salt, caffeine, or fat content.
By providing children with the tools to make healthy food choices, parents can reduce their child's chance of developing many chronic diseases and health conditions.
Make sure you child goes back to school with all the tools they need. Teach your child about nutrition and eating healthy.
Dr. Ross Leighton, President,?Doctors N.S.
