Omega-3 fatty acids have become popular over the past few years as awareness of their health benefits in reducing the risk of heart disease has increased. However, these essential acids also play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development.

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I am sure you have heard said that “you are what you eat and drink”. When your stomach growls you remember you are hungry; but, the body doesn’t always give an obvious signal that it is dehydrated, that it needs more water. The American Dental Association publication “Bottle Water: Get the Facts tells us that not drinking enough water every day can have a negative affect on your overall health. They remind us, however, that if bottled water is your primary source of drinking water, you could be missing the benefits of fluoride, a mineral that helps prevent tooth decay since the fluoride content of bottle water varies and the majority of bottled waters do not contain optimal levels of fluoride."

"Water regulates body temperature, helps remove waste, cushions the joints, and transports nutrients and oxygen to billions of cells. Water helps remove toxins and helps dissolve minerals, vitamins and other nutrients. The ADA tells us that an adequate amount of fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and builds strong teeth. If bottled water is your primary source of drinking water you could be missing the decay-preventive benefits of fluoride." The highest reason that children miss school in the U.S. is because of dental and health issues: For more information, visit http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/bottledh2o.asp.

Packing your child's lunch will ensure he/she has a nutritious meal. It is a good idea to include a snack or two, also. Brown bagging a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is okay, but over a year those brown bags get expensive and they don't keep the food hot or cold. It is safest to use an insulated soft bag and enclose a frozen gel pack or even a frozen juice pack to keep the lunch cold.

When preparing lunches, be sure to remember that perishable foods should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours (one hour if the temperature is 90 degrees). Wash cutting boards with hot soapy water, keep house pets away from food preparation area, bleach may be used to sanitize surfaces, and do not reuse packing bags.

A few suggestions for foods that are safe without a cold or hot source:
Whole Fruits and vegetables
Hard cheeses
Canned meat and fish
Chips
Breads
Crackers
Peanut Butter
Almond Butter
Mustard
Pickles

If you have additional food safety questions, please call the U.S. Department of Agriculture hotline: 1-999-674-6854 or go to: http://www.ucop.edu/riskmgt/bsas/bsas_op/documents/keepingbag_lunchessafe.pdf

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The body is breaking the fast it has endured during the night when its metabolism slowed. A child needs a breakfast high in protein to get their metabolism going for the day. Unfortunately, those days of big family breakfasts with eggs, bacon, toast or biscuits, homemade jams and jellies, milk fresh from the cow or newly squeezed orange juice are no longer the normal on a typical weekday.

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