After school is one of the most common times I see big emotions, meltdowns, low energy, and the classic “hangry” behaviour in kids, and very often, it comes back to blood sugar. A long day of learning, moving, concentrating, and using up energy can leave children running on empty by mid-afternoon. When blood sugar drops too low, the body releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol to compensate, which can show up as irritability, tears, overwhelm, poor focus, and emotional outbursts. Having simple, balanced snacks prepared ahead of time with protein, healthy fats, and quality carbohydrates, helps stabilise blood sugar, support the nervous system, and create a much calmer transition from school to home.

Congee is a deeply nourishing dish with a long history of use in traditional medicine for its healing properties. This warm, easy-to-digest rice porridge is known for its ability to support digestion, restore energy, and soothe the body.

Bone broth is a powerhouse of nutrients, offering a wealth of benefits for overall health and wellness. Packed with collagen, amino acids, and essential minerals, it supports joint health, skin elasticity, gut healing and immune health.

Stewed apples are particularly nourishing to your gut due to their pectin content. Pectin is a soluble fibre that is therapeutic to our gut health and provides the beneficial gut bacteria with a nourishing fuel source supporting their growth. When apples are cooked, more pectin is released!