Which granola or protein bar should you buy?

 

Nothing is as confusing as walking into a grocery store and perusing the granola bar aisle. There are often hundreds of bars to choose from (okay, maybe a slight exaggeration, but it sure feels that way!). So which should you choose? It depends on what you are using that bar for and/or what time of the day it is being consumed. So here are a few options that are nutritionally sound, based on timing and use. Note: this list is NOT all-inclusive and are general recommendations. Your specific needs might be different.

+Available from Trader Joe's specifically, though may be elsewhere
*Available from Whole Foods specifically, though may be elsewhere

Pre-weight lifting
Larabar Peanut butter Cookie (Gluten free, dairy free, Soy free, Vegan)
Luna Lemon Zest (Organic)
Organic Food Bar Active Greens (Organic, Vegan)*

Start the school year with good nutrition: tips, tricks and recipes!

Two weeks ago I discussed school lunches and last week was snacks. With many of you actually STARTING school this week, I thought I would end the theme of school nutrition with a round-up of my best blog articles relating to meal prep and eating during this crazy time - many focusing on dinner. Here they are:

How to Eat a Healthy, Quick Dinner Every Night
A step-by-step how-to for each day of the week to be able to have a good dinner every night with minimal prep for the week as a whole. Includes ideas such as crock pot, batch cooking and smart shopping.

Wondering What You Will Eat Tomorrow? [Recipes]
One recipe each: breakfast, lunch and dinner. All quick and SUPER tasty. The breakfast recipe is cookies, so how can you go wrong there???

Eating Fast Food: Meals that Work
Because sometimes you don't have a choice, when you HAVE to hit fast food, here are the best options. Establishments include Starbucks, Panera, McDonalds, Chipotle and more...

3 Quick and Health Recipes You Will Love [Recipes]
Psst...one is for French fries. Check it out!

Be Extraordinary,


RDKate

Make School Snacks a Cinch: Here's How!

This week, enjoy a guest post from my intern, Danielle. This is a great piggy-pack onto last week's post about school lunches. Now you have no excuse to not be ready to feed those student-athletes!

Be Extraordinary,

RDKate
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This school year, prioritizing the nutrition of your children could make it the best year yet for your family’s health. In light of the new “hangry” phenomenon, where hunger causes one to become angry, the inclusion of small, healthy snacks mid-morning and after school could keep “hangry” moods from occurring. If you find that you or your kids become grouchy or tired during the work or school day, it could be that hunger is the culprit. Bringing simple, healthy snacks to school or work may help to combat the side effects of being hungry. Snacking can maintain your mood, keep your energy up, and help you to stay focused. Especially when students are heading off to sports practice after school, consuming a snack during the school day as well as after school will keep their energy up so they can play their best.

How to Conquer School Lunches This Year

We are almost mid-way through August, which means school is right around the corner. For many athletes or parents of athletes, planning for lunch at school is a dreaded part of the back-to-school routine. While many complain of poor choices offered in the cafeteria, an equally common complaint is lack of time to pack a sack lunch. Yet, "brown bagging it" doesn't have to take up a huge amount of time or energy. Here are some tips, tricks, and sample lunches to fuel the athlete in you or in your family....

Planning
When planning for sack lunches, remember the key components that should be included in each lunch. Make your list before you head to the store.
-Carbohydrates: Preferably whole grain/whole wheat (gluten-free whole grains vs. processed if this is applicable)
-Protein: Preferably low-fat (this includes dairy or soy)
-Fat: A little bit of fat keeps young bellies full and helps with muscle recovery
-Fruit: Fresh is easiest, but canned is okay too
-Vegetables: Think fresh "ready-to-munch" veggies such as baby carrots or cherry tomatoes