Kids: Eat Smart To Be Smart

Food does more than satisfy hunger; it provides fuel for the body and mind, too. So as you make a list of school supplies to buy for the upcoming school year, don't forget to consider the items at your local supermarket that can also help prepare your child for the classroom. Catherine Kraus, RD, M.Ed, CHES, a dietitian at the University of Michigan Health System, says that a balanced, healthy diet enables chemical messengers in the brain known as neurotransmitters to function more efficiently. This produces better concentration and memory. Parents can take several steps to create well-balanced meals and snacks that provide children the energy and nutrition they need to perform well at school, notes Kraus, a member of the Pediatric Comprehensive Weight Management Center at U-M C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. Breakfast.... [read full story]