backpack safety

Back 2 School - Backpacks & Lunches


Back to school should not mean back to poor posture and being malnourished.  Overloaded backpacks, soda and snack machines, hot dogs, pizza, cheeseburgers, etc., for lunch are just a few of the challenges. Kids having problems once thought only older adults developed like back pain, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, arthritis, pain, and headaches. As a country, we are overfed and under nourished. We lack quality nutrition in our foods. The highly processed sugary/fat snacks and lunches not only are lacking essential nutrients kids need, but contain high levels of anti-nutrients (substances that are harmful and cause good nutrients to leave our bodies). We have to help them develop good habits now to ensure their health in years to come.

Here are A+ tips to keep stress off the spine and shoulders and some healthy breakfast, lunch and snack ideas:

  • Place heavy items on the bottom of the backpack
  • Always wear both shoulder straps
  • Buy a backpack with padded shoulder straps, lumbar support or wheels
  • Bend at the knees when you lift your backpack
  • Carry ONLY what you need

Remember maximum backpack loads should NEVER exceed 15% of your total body weight!

  • Try fresh fruit or a fruit smoothie for a good start
  • Make your own trail mix with walnuts, almonds, raisins, and a healthy cereal, and send fresh fruit, and raw veggies
  • Read labels and avoid refined sugars, trans fats (partially hydrogenated and hydrogenated oils), artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Buy healthy, all natural snacks.
  • Check out these 2 websites and our health library for more information: www.healthymomshealthyfamilies.com and www.healthyschoollunches.org

Feed them a healthy breakfast and send them to school with a healthy lunch and snack!