For a time that is supposed to be about rest and relaxation, the school holidays can often be stressful for parents. The last thing that anyone needs is spending extra time, energy and brain power on preparing meals and snacks for children who always seem to be hungry. With these healthy holiday tips, you can make the best choices even while you are having fun.
The holidays are a time when treats can (and should) be enjoyed. After all, what is a road trip without biltong or a beach visit without ice cream? However, without a rigid routine, it is easy to start adopting bad eating habits.
“It’s not about cutting out all the bad things completely. This is not sustainable, never mind boring. Treats and fun things can always be part of a healthy and nutritious lifestyle – just not all the time. We believe in trying to make small changes that can easily be incorporated into everyday life, ” says Greig Jansen, Chief Executive Officer at the PURA Beverage Company.
Here are some healthy holiday tips:
Swap out the treats where you can
Being health-conscious doesn’t mean that food needs to be boring or tasteless.
When it comes to sugar, moderation rather than abstention is key. There are lots of options for snacks that taste good without all the guilt. Get creative and look at healthy alternatives to keep in the house or pack as padkos during this time.
Swap out chocolate for date balls, for example, or ice cream for frozen yogurt. Popcorn is a good substitute for chips, while mixed nuts can be jazzed up with raisins, dried cranberries, and other dried fruits to be a tasty substitute for sweets.
Planning ahead
Spending a bit of time prepping meal plans for the holidays will not only keep your pockets happy, it will also make it easier to whip up balanced meals.
The rule of thumb is to include fresh produce in every meal. Try to prepare one dish that everyone can enjoy. Consider meals like tray bakes which can all be made in one dish.
Plan scheduled meals, rather than eating on the run, to prevent blood sugar levels from dropping. This often causes mood swings – the last thing any parent needs added to the mix. You can incorporate substantial snacks throughout the day to prevent this.
Sugary drinks
Fizzy drinks are the greatest source of sugar in children’s diets. A can of carbonated cooldrink can contain up to eight spoons of sugar. Look for alternative sodas that are lower in sugar, and ideally which are also preservative and colourant-free.
PURA Kids come in four natural flavours – mixed berry, pink apple, peach and lemonade. It contains around 60% less sugar than most other regular juices and comes in the OG 200ml pack, perfect for lunch boxes, and in a new 1 litre pack, making it a holiday essential, convenient for home consumption. The 1 litre can be opened and resealed while being enjoyed throughout the week, allowing children to help themselves and or share with their friends.
