Now that school has officially started and our minds are racing with fears of Swine Flu lingering all around, many questions arise. A big one that I often hear is, “What is the single most important thing I can do every day for my kids to protect them?”

It’s simple: Feed them healthy food every day. As a parent and physician, I can assure you that well-nourished children stay healthier–and when they do get sick, recover quicker. The body obtains it’s main source of naturally-occurring vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables. Further, these nutrients provide the building blocks for a healthy immune system and cellular integrity throughout the body.

With the importance of childhood nutrition in mind, here are some tips for packing a healthy school lunch or snack:

1. Pack a nutritious snack every day that has at least 2 grams of protein
2. Look for snack foods or bars that are less than 140 calories per serving
3. Always pack at least one fresh fruit or veggie in school lunches
4. For younger kids who may not eat a lot, pack a half a sandwich (but that’s full of good stuff in the middle!)
5. Avoid artificial sweeteners, flavorings, and colors
6. Stay away from high fructose corn sweeteners at all cost
7. Pack a reusable water bottle every day so your child stays hydrated
8. Pack a calcium-rich snack such as a cheese stick or yogurt if your child is not drinking milk with lunch

-Dr. Keri Marshall, MS, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in holistic pediatrics and women’s medicine

Is your kid in the market for a new backpack this year? Here’s some of our favorite eco options.

• The ecogear Kids Panda Eco-Pack is simple but stylish. Made from organic cotton, it’s available in pink, blue, or green. $24.99, ebags.com.
• Tires get a second life with recycled rubber backpacks from Green Earth Office Supply. $60, greenearthofficesupply.yahoo.net.
• For older kids, the Eco-Friendly Backpack from Lands’ End is made from 100% recycled fabric, and can hold a laptop case and MP3 player. $39.50, landsend.com.
• Crocodile Creek has cute packs for the younger set in a variety of nature-themed designs. Even better, they’re PVC- and phthalate free. $23.95-$29.45, amazon.com.
• Fleurville’s Kid’s Messenger is perfect for style-conscious students, and is PVC-, Teflon-, and lead-free. There’s even a removable insulated lunch bag! $50, fleurville.com.

-Marygrace, KIWI Staffer

With earlier bedtimes and wake-ups, homework assignments, and busy schedules, going from lazy summer to regimented autumn can sometimes be tough on kids. Instead of making an abrupt switch, use the next few weeks (or days, depending on when school starts in your area!) to create a gradual transition to the new school year with these ideas:

• Start the conversation. Begin talking about the upcoming school year as a family. What are your kids most excited about? What are some of their goals?
• Complete summer reading assignments. Since middle and high school students usually have to read novels, they’ve probably long since created a long-term plan. Younger kids can get away with reading their shorter assignments the night before–but why wait? Tackle summer reading now, and discuss the material together.
• Reinstate routine. Part of summer’s charm is that routine often flies out the window. However, now is the time to get your little one used to the idea of the school year schedule, so gradually reinstate earlier bedtimes and wake-ups.
• Give them something to be excited about. It can be something as simple as a new lunchbox or colored pencil set, but kids will be excited about new school gear if they get to pick it out.

For more back-to-school resources, including greening your school and healthy school lunches, check out kiwimagonline.com/backtoschool.

-Marygrace, KIWI Staffter

As parents and kids prepare for the beginning of another school year, it is a time of excitement and anxiety. For the more than 3 million kids with food allergies — and their parents — the back-to-school anxiety is particularly palpable. Understandable, considering that 1 in 5 children will have an allergic reaction while in school (Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2001: 155: 790-795). What is a regular day for most kids is fraught with danger for children with food allergies. If the peanut-allergic child sits next to a child eating PB&J or the egg-allergic child eats the birthday cupcake brought in by a classmate, the results could be fatal.

Parents worry: Will the teachers remember my child’s specific food allergy? Will the Epi-Pen® be accessible on the playground or on a field trip? What if substitute teachers cover lunch time and will they be prepared to manage an allergic reaction? The reality is they just don’t know…and that’s not good enough.

I know these fears all too well. My son is severely allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. A couple years ago, before his first day at preschool, I met with the teachers and school director, discussed his allergies, signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction and how a reaction should be managed. Two weeks into school, I walked him into class only to overhear the teacher tell another parent that the children would be making trail mix that day. I was astounded, as were the parents of the other two nut-allergic children in the class. At best, the children would have experienced hives and vomiting… at worst, anaphylaxis and death. And the questions followed: How can I make sure the people around my son are constantly alerted to his allergies? And, if there is an emergency, how can I ensure that they will know what to do?

The anxiety is shared by teachers, coaches, babysitters and others who care for allergic kids. They worry too: How will I remember each child’s specific allergies? How will I know if a child is having an allergic reaction? Will I be able to respond appropriately?

To keep your child safer this school year:

1. Clearly identify your child by his/her specific food allergies

2. Clearly label his belongings—lunch bag, backpack—with allergy alerts to prevent exposure

3. Make safe foods available for your child

4. Keep emergency medication available and accessible at all times; make sure that whoever is with your child is prepared to manage a life-threatening emergency

Communication is key… your child’s life could depend on it! Label your child’s lunch bag with his allergies to alert teachers and cafeteria staff. Get a kid-friendly allergy alert wristband that your child will actually wear. Provide the school with safe snacks for your child. Make sure that emergency medication and information is accessible at all times while your child is in school. By alerting others to your child’s allergies, making safe food available and having emergency measures in place, you can minimize the risk of an allergic reaction and maximize the chances of an effective response if one does occur.

Best wishes for a safe and successful school year!

–Robin Davison, MPH, JD, Founder of STAT kids, LLC (www.statkids.com)