Fall has fallen and school days are back in full swing. Whether it be packing a lunch, an after school snack, or sending your little one to daycare with a meal in tow; the midday meal should be tasty and pack a nutritional punch to help fuel those developing brains during the day. Lunch is an important meal for kids and the days of plain sandwiches are long gone. Start by using your A, B, C’s as a guideline to help you pack a healthy school lunch:
Always add a fruit or veggie
Buy a reusable lunch
bag, thermos, and ice packs to help keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot
Create a meal that contains a protein source, complex carbohydrate, calcium source, a quality fat, a fruit and/or veggie, and a hydrating drink such as water or juice that is clearly labeled 100% juice.
Don’t forget about last night’s leftovers; throw them in a thermos a yummy treat.
Experience letting your kids help pack a lunch, it not only teaches them responsibility but they are also much more likely to eat it if they had a hand in helping prepare.
Focus on finger foods: sliced apples dipped in nut butter or carrots sticks dipped in low-fat dressing are fun ways to sneak in some nutrients.
Get organized by planning ahead: prepping veggies and washing or slicing fruit ahead of time, say on Sunday nights, can be a real time saver and helps avoid the urge to use processed foods.
Hop outside the lunchbox by thinking beyond the sandwich; mix things up with tortilla wraps, gluten free crackers and hummus, corn tortillas with black beans and cheese, or pile nitrate-free lunchmeat into a leaf of lettuce and roll it up.
Imagine yourself as kid: all grown-ups were kids once, so think of what would have made your day as a kid. A sticker, a fun napkin, or a little note from mom all add to the fun of a bagged lunch and help make lunchtime something your child will look forward to.
