Tips For a Healthy School Year From Your Local Restaurant in Springfield MO
Can you believe it’s already time for another school year? If you have little ones, you’ve probably spent the last few weeks filling out forms, scheduling booster shots and signing your kiddos up for activities. You’re also probably steeling yourself for a busy few months as students cruise into new classes, new clubs and new sports teams.
Making healthy choices for your family is important – but it can be tough with a packed-out fall schedule. Make health a priority this year with these tips on staying healthy throughout the frenzied pace of the school year from your favorite local restaurant in Springfield Missouri.
Forget Fast Food
It’s a scene that fills many parents with dread: the lunch packing assembly line. If you’re juggling multiple lunchtime requests from your kids – Josh wants his sandwich cut up into triangles, but Colleen wants soup – it can be tempting to opt for packaged lunches or just swing through the drive-thru.
For a fast lunch that your kids will love, look no further than our panini menu. Our fresh panini sandwiches are served on delicious focaccia bread with your choice of Bambinos pasta salad, chips, or fresh fruit. Got an adventurous kiddo? Try the zingy Bambino Panini featuring ham, salami, and mozzarella cheese topped with lettuce, onion, banana peppers, and our zesty house dressing.
If you’re cutting out meat, try our Veggie Panini. This healthy option includes green peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, lettuce, mozzarella cheese, and – you guessed it – our zingy house dressing. It’s a great way to get kids to eat their vegetables while tricking them into thinking they’re eating a grilled cheese.
In a hurry? All of our paninis can be ordered over the phone and carried out if you’re on the go, which is great news if you need to drop off lunch with the kids and head back to work. Check out the rest of our lunch menu online.
Get Moving
Your family may have spent the summer splashing in the pool, frolicking through parks and exploring all that the Ozarks have to offer. However, once the school year kicks off, many kids spend their days sitting at a desk with only a few minutes of exercise between recess and gym class.
The Mayo Clinic reports that kids over six need at least an hour of regular, nonstop exercise a day. Fortunately, a lot of Ozark Greenways trails are located near Springfield area schools. Check out the map here, then plan a daily or weekly family bike ride while temperatures are still pleasant.
Make Time for Family Fun
Regular family dinners are more than just a good time to reconnect – they have lasting health benefits. The Family Dinner Project reports that regular family dinners can result in increased self-esteem, lower risk of substance abuse and lower rates of obesity for kids.
Make sure to set aside time every week to reconnect over dinner as a family. Overwhelmed by the idea of cooking after a busy day? Bring the family to Bambinos, where every item on our kids’ menu is under five dollars, including classic pasta favorites like macaroni and cheese and spaghetti.
The beginning of a new school year can be a stressful time, but it doesn’t have to be. With a few hacks to make lunches, exercise and family time more accessible, you can be on your way to your healthiest school year yet.
If you’re heading back to school in Springfield, Missouri, head to Bambinos for tasty on-the-go eats and family dinners. Our Italian classics, cozy atmosphere, and excellent service are sure to help you ease into the new school year. Give us a call at 417-862-9999 (Delmar location) or 417-881-4442 (Battlefield location) with any questions.
