Fuel for school keeps energy levels high

(ARA) – School days are no longer just 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students have hectic schedules that add physically- and mentally-draining hours to their routines. Whether it is the swim team, a school play or a tough academic assignment, many parents face the problem of providing their children with enough energy to tackle daily activities.

Mitzi Dulan, a parent, pro sports nutritionist and co-author of the newly published All-Pro Diet has school and sports nutrition tips:

* Avoid high calorie drinks: Use calorie-free water, organic low-fat milk, or 100 percent fruit juices.
* Pack healthy ingredients: Try making Sandwiches on 100 percent whole wheat bread rather than white and use fun combinations: natural peanut butter and honey/banana, or natural deli meat loaded with veggies. Leftovers from a home-cooked meal also make excellent lunch options.
* Add color: Skip highly processed snacks. Opt for fresh fruits and vegetables and complement them with all-natural honey, hummus or whole wheat crackers. Air-popped popcorn, Greek yogurt and unsweetened applesauce provide extra variety.

For recipes featuring honey, visit honey.com