Washington Health System

WORRY WORRY PB WORRY GOING BACK TO SCHOOL MAY CAUSE STRESS FOR YOUR CHILD. PB FIND SOME HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES TO EVERYONE'S FAVORITE SANDWICH : PEANUT BUT TER AND JELLY. Food allergies among children are more common than you might think. In fact, 4.1 million American children reportedly have a food allergy—and the biggest culprit is peanuts. "With peanut allergies becoming more prevalent, it's a good idea to avoid peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in schools or public areas," says Andie Lugg, RD, LDN, Nutrition Coordinator at the WHS Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center. Unfortunately, the peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a staple for many kids, particularly those who are picky eaters. However, there are tasty alternatives to this famous pairing. Be sure to check on the policy at your child's school before sending him or her off with peanut butter. When it comes to food allergies, it's always better to err on the side of caution. » CONCERNED ABOUT FOOD ALLERGIES? CALL ANDIE LUGG AT (724) 250-5207. BETTER BUTTERS. Rather than using peanut butter, try other nut butters such as almond or sunflower seed butter. PICK PROTEIN. Create protein-based sandwiches such as turkey, chicken, or tuna or egg salad. ese contain less sugar and still pack plenty of protein. BUILD YOUR BUTTER. Making your own nut butters at home is another healthy option. Recipes for many nut butters can be found online. WAY TO J J ANOTHER Like all forms of anxiety, school-based anxiety can impact children's daily lives. Everything from how they sleep to their productivity and moods can be drastically changed by the stress they feel. "I do not believe there is enough attention, awareness or understanding of anxiety in children," says Lauren Pagano, LCSW, Family Counselor and Social Worker at Washington Health System. "It's a very common problem for children, and a new school year can oen be the culprit." Starting school can represent a major change in schedule, environment, peers and expectations—all of which can be enough to spark an anxious reaction. Children suffering from school-related stress may show this through physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, stomachaches or headaches. A child may also exhibit emotional symptoms such as irritability, crying spells, mood swings or fixating on a particular topic. "Anxiety can oen be dealt with in a relatively easy fashion," Pagano says. "I always say it's better to be safe than sorry. If a parent suspects his or her child has anxiety, help is a call away." » IF YOUR CHILD NEEDS HELP WITH ANXIETY, CALL THE WHS CHILDREN'S THERAPY CENTER AT (724) 942-6100. 101 Anxiety resulting from school affects 2 to 5 percent of all school-aged children in the United States. FALL 2017 | connections whs.org 3

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