We take pride in keeping our students nourished throughout the school year and always miss seeing our students’ faces during the summer months. Our wish for all of our students and their families is that you continue to eat well and healthily during the break. We have some tips to help you do so!
Healthy Foods
The summer season brings with it so many delicious meals and snacks, but we can easily eat too many of the wrong things. Instead of storing up on chips, ice cream, and hot dogs, try including some of these items in your summertime shopping lists:
Snacks
- Carrot sticks
- Melons
- Strawberries
- Corn
- Squash
- Peaches and/or nectarines
- Grapes
- Yogurt
Meals
Here are some ideas to mix into your dinner list:
- Grilled chicken
- Grilled salmon (or other fish)
- Salads
- Grilled vegetables (corn, squash)
- Turkey or chicken burgers
- Protein bowls (meat, beans, lettuce, and other toppings)
Treats
Don’t get us wrong, we’re going to enjoy ice cream this summer, too, but here are some healthier treat ideas to substitute as you’d like:
- Strawberries and whipped cream (or any berries and whipped cream)
- Fruit smoothies (use Greek yogurt instead of sherberts in recipes)
- Chocolate-covered strawberries or bananas
Portions
One of our favorite resources to reference is MyPlate.gov to remind us how much we should be eating of fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and dairy products. If you’re looking for help planning meals this summer, MyPlate provides a great visual for how much of each item we should be eating based on how it fills up a plate (as seen below).
Have a Great Summer!
At the end of the day, we know that life is busy and groceries are expensive. These are just some tips and suggestions. We hope all of our students and their families have a wonderful summer! See you next school year.