It’s back to school time in Mississippi and the Enhanced Wellness Living Functional Medicine Clinic team is here to ensure our kids are set up to live life well! Physical health, mental health, hygiene, and nutrition all play an important role in learning, developing, and having a successful school year. Not only do we want to help you protect your children from COVID-19, but we want you to understand that importance and value in educating them on healthy nutritional choices early in life.
Nutrition is the most important building block of ensuring brain development, nourishment, gut health, immune function, and disease prevention. Nourishing our bodies with nutrients and avoiding inflammatory foods such as gluten, helps to prevent childhood obesity, leaky gut syndrome, and autoimmune diseases. Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and broccoli help fuel brain development while fresh fish provides Vitamin D for bone development!
Tips for a Healthy School Year:
*Make fun snacks! Smoothies such as our Berry Blend (below) is a great way to ensure your little one is getting the fruits, vegetables, and nutrients he or she needs to feel full and nourished
*Stay hydrated! Drink lots of water
*Get plenty of outdoors time, go on a bike ride, jump rope, go for a swim, play tag
*Consider walking to school, take your dog on daily walks
*Take screen breaks, avoid TV and screens in the morning and before bed
*Get creative! Do an art project or science experiment
*Listen to music and dance
*Practice kids yoga and mindful breathing
*Follow the Dirty Dozen, Clean 15 to ensure you are eating healthy and avoiding toxins
*Set a clear bedtime and routine and do not deviate
*Start each day with a bit of sunshine! Get outdoors for a few minutes for a natural boost of Vitamin D, Melatonin, and overall mental health
*Instill the importance of proper hygiene for protecting yourself and your friends:
-Regularly wash hands with soap, warm water, and friction for 20 seconds; sing a song to pass the time!
-If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry
-Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing; wash hands immediately after
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
-Wear your mask when appropriate
Delicious and Nutritious Snacks:
Berry Blend Smoothie:
In high powered blender add all ingredients; blend on high for one minute or until thoroughly mixed.
- 1 medium apple
- 2 cups filtered water
- 2 leaves of curly kale stripped from stalk
- 2 tablespoons organic, raw pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- ½ piece fresh ginger with skin
- 8 basil leaves, stems removed
- ½ lemon, peeled
Enhanced Wellness Living’s Kids Health Back to School Supplement Bundle!
