Back to School Lunch
Heading back-to-school can mean a lot of things including hunting bargains, seeing old faces, bus schedules, milk money, sharpening pencils, the end of the summer’s reading, and prepping the backpack(s). It also creates the lunch box dilemma = what to pack your child will eat and enjoy.
The easiest option is to have your child choose school lunch. Believe it or not, school lunch has come a long way from the days of mystery meat. Today, all schools must have school wellness policies in place, which include guidelines on foods and beverages sold throughout the school environment.
You also might not realize that school lunches must provide one third of the Recommended Dietary Allowances for protein, calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C. The School Nutrition Association has a developed a website, for parents to learn more about healthy school meals innovative approaches around the country.
If school lunch is not on the menu for your child, maybe try a few of these tips for a lunch that won’t get traded:
Get Kids Involved – Have children choose foods at grocery store from a pre-made list and let them help make their own lunch. Provide foods that are both healthy and kid-pleasing.
Bone-up with Calcium – Encouraging kids to get their three servings of dairy each day is an easy way to help them build and maintain strong, healthy bones, muscles and teeth. Try kid-appealing milk in plastic bottles. Yogurt can be combined with fresh fruit for a yogurt parfait, and low-fat cheese is a great addition to a lean meat sandwich or can be grated onto vegetables.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables – Fruits and vegetables are easy to prepare and are loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Pack baby carrots, celery, or tomatoes with a delicious dip (yogurt dip, hummus, fat free dressing). Try fresh or individually packaged fruit such as applesauce, pineapple, or peaches.
Stealth Health with Whole Grains – Kids like to eat with their hands so make a sandwich in a whole wheat tortilla or pita pocket with lean protein such as turkey, chicken breast or veggie burger, veggies and mustard or low-fat mayo/dressing and you are providing a healthy meal “under wraps.”
For more kid-friendly lunch tips, I like Eating Well’s suggestions.
