Focus on Health at School

Celery, carrots and pita with dip and fruit smoothies

Judy Dodd, MS, RD, LDN Giant Eagle^® Corporate Nutritionist

Regardless of the ages of the children (or young adults) in your family, some basic preparation ensures the continued health of everyone throughout the school year. This easy to-do list helps you organize and prioritize health action items for this academic year.

Medications and immunizations
Special health needs
Healthy best practices

Medications and immunizations

Check your school's immunization schedule. Your doctor and school health personnel can help your family stay current with vaccinations — and that includes immunizations for the adults in the family too. Don't forget about flu shots! Flu season is around the corner, so it's time to mark the calendar now.
Update your medicine cabinet. Over-the-counter medications and other healthcare products have expiration dates. Dispose of old ones safely.

Special health needs

Take the time to inform your child's teachers and other school staff about his or her special health needs.
If you have a child with an allergy, make sure you have an epinephrine pen on hand both at school and at home.
Children with diabetes may need a mid-morning or afternoon snack, especially if the nutrition is required to make their medication work effectively. Insulin dosing will need to be arranged with the nurse or school principal.
Children with diabetes or allergies can benefit from the assistance of the school's food service, if available. However, you may be asked to provide specialized foods for allergies.
If your child requires exercise limitations, coordinate these with the school nurse and teaching staff.

Healthy best practices

Re-visit the importance of careful hand washing and using alcohol-based hand sanitizers and wipes, especially before eating and after gym or recess. Even simple activities like sharing pencils and pens can spread cold and flu germs.
Gift your family members away at college with some healthy snacks and easy recipes for quick meals. Provide your college freshman with convenient, dorm-sized cooking equipment, too. Contact Nutrition@gianteagle.com — and check out our "Keeping Healthy at College" guide, too.
Start the day with breakfast. Studying and paying attention in class both require readily available glucose from food. Cereal with juice and milk, a grab-and-go cereal bar or a yogurt smoothie are easy starters.
Stock up on healthy snacking choices. Raw veggies, whole-grain crackers, salsa, peanut butter, low-fat ranch dip, fruit, yogurt, or low-fat cheese sticks are better-for-you options to fill the gap between lunch and dinner.
Put fitness on your calendar. School can mean more sedentary computer time, after-school lessons and community meetings. So where is the time for fitness? Plan time for a family walk, a yoga class, biking, or other activities that get the whole family moving.

Important Physician Advice Disclaimer: The content provided by Giant Eagle^®, including but not limited to, Web site, recipe and health information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Consult your physician for professional guidance before changing or undertaking a new diet program. Advance consultation with your physician is particularly important if you are under the age of 18, pregnant, nursing or have health problems.