Did someone say “Back to School?” Carpool line, homework, afterschool activities, packing lunches … more like “Back to Busy!”
The start of a new school year can be hard on current routines, but having a plan can help you keep up with healthy eating habits (or maybe even start some new ones)! Here are a few ideas, using our Dietitian’s Picks of the Month (Eggs and California Walnuts), to help make your back-to-busy season a healthy one too:
- Plan on breakfast. Breakfast helps power your day, especially when it includes fiber-rich plants and protein, like eggs. Try making and freezing Black Bean Breakfast Burritos ahead of time, or, in a pinch, this Microwave Egg and Veggie Breakfast Bowl saves the day!
- Give your breakfast a boost. Is breakfast cereal or oatmeal a go-to? For a boost of flavor, texture and nutrition, including plant-based protein, fiber and heart-healthy fats, toss in some California walnuts. They’ll keep you energized and full for longer.
- Mix up your lunch routine. The same peanut butter and jelly or deli sandwich can get pretty boring. Mix up your lunch routine with new proteins and fun recipes like this Vegetable Egg Roll-Up. Who says eggs only have to be for breakfast?
- Pack a punch with snacks. The best snacks keep you going until your next meal while also satisfying your cravings. California walnuts make for a convenient on-the-go option that can be sweet or savory. Enjoy them by themselves in this Ranch Walnut recipe, or combine them with dried fruit, popcorn, pretzels, chocolate chips, etc. for your own homemade trail mix.
- Try going meatless (every now and then). The benefits of a plant-based diet are many, including lower risks for obesity and heart disease. Try including a meatless main meal once a week, using plant-based proteins like California walnuts. This recipe is a fun twist on Mexican Street Corn Tacos.
Looking for more resources for Back-to-School success? Give our Hy-Vee dietitian Freezer Meal Prep Workshops a try. In under an hour, you’ll have 5 freezer meals prepared to feed 4-6 people. Busy season win! Now also available for gluten-free and dairy-free!
*The blog articles, recipes and recommendations found on this site are not intended as medical advice and should not replace consulting with your medical provider. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
About the Registered Dietitian
Dani Matthies, RD, CD, LD has been a registered, certified and licensed dietitian and member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for nearly 10 years. With degrees in Community-Medical Dietetics and Spanish from Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI, as well as additional training in Health Communication from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, she is able to take science-based nutrition information and translate it into easy-to-understand and practical advice.
