In the last few months, some things have slipped through the cracks. There has been a lot going on, and we're only capable of so much.
A lot of overwhelmed parents have eased their rules around food during this chaotic and stressful time. Food can be comforting, and we've all needed comfort in one way or another.
Many families are looking at the new school year as an opportunity to get things back on track. Families are serious about getting back to healthy eating. A study of 2,000 parents of school-aged children conducted by OnePoll in conjunction with Sabra aimed to find out how families are doing that.
Like everything else lately, each family is handling it a little differently. While all can agree change is needed, families are taking different approaches.
For some, dedication to health calls for reorganizing the kitchen. For others, it calls for planning ahead in a major way. Find out how American families are refocusing on health and nutrition from these fascinating findings.
This year has been a really challenging one for families across the country. We've all found our own ways to cope, and many of them have involved food. As the year comes to a close, families are worried about getting their kids back to healthy eating.
Sabra and OnePoll conducted a study of 2,000 American parents of school-aged children. In a discussion about approaches to the new school year, 79% say they are stocking up on food differently than they did in the spring. The focus is on a return to healthy eating.
For one thing, families are buying healthier and smarter when it comes to snacks. Granola bars are a big buy, with 36% of families including them on shopping lists. Trail mix was next with 34%, then hummus with 33%. Last but not least was veggie chips, also with 33%.
Four in 10 parents feel it's time to walk back all the comfort food. In some instances, that means just putting it out of reach. In the survey, 74% of families report they're reorganizing their kitchens so that healthier options are more easily accessible to little ones.
For parents whose kids continue to attend school remotely, they feel they're in better control of making these changes. Half of the parents, 50%, feel kids make better choices at home than they do at school. The reality is, 72% say their kids tend to eat healthier at home.
That said, parents aren't exactly excited. Parents aren't looking forward to being the new lunch lady, with 64% admitting to dreading it. It's possibly because a lot of healthy eating will mean saying no to sweets, with nearly three in four caregivers saying they're limiting kids' sugar intake.
For those headed back to school, there are concerns. Many schools are limiting their lunch options based on if and how kids are allowed to move around the buildings. Three in four caregivers expect this back-to-school season will be more chaotic, but they have a newfound respect for school food service professionals.
Busy parents want to feel like they're still staying on top of their children's nutrition.
"With so many kids learning in a home or hybrid model, busy parents are concerned about providing a steady stream of healthy meals and snacks," said Jason Levine, Sabra's chief marketing officer.
"Many are seeking to reduce sugar intake and boost plant-based food consumption and stocking up on fruits, nuts and quick, kid-friendly foods like hummus."
For those parents feeling the dread, Sabra wants to help.
"We've teamed with plant-based TikTok sensation Tabitha Brown who took over our social platforms to share easy, kid-friendly recipes to help rescue those 'lunch ladies' at home," Jason shared.
That little bit of help can make a huge difference for parents.
Parents want the new school year to be a more structured time. More than half of the parents surveyed feel that having that structure in place helps their kids behave better. And 69% believe it has a positive impact on schoolwork. About half also believe it helps them sleep better.
We all want our families to thrive in every area. A well-balanced diet is an excellent start, even if you have some slip-ups along the way.
