“Opportunity of a Lunchtime”

Did you know that school lunches are a great way to steer your child towards making healthier food choices whether they buy a school lunch in the cafeteria or they bring lunch from home? You can’t force a child, but you can make it easier to eat healthy. Especially with younger kids, start by explaining how a nutritious lunch will give them the energy to finish the rest of the school day and enjoy after school activities.

Try these suggestions:

Look over the cafeteria menu with your child. Ask what a typical lunch includes and which meals he or she likes in particular. Recommend items that are healthier, but be willing to allow your child to buy favorite lunch items occasionally, even if it includes a hot dog.

Encourage your child to choose cafeteria meals that include fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. Also avoid fried foods when possible and choose milk or water as a drink.

If you’re helping your child pack a lunch, start by brainstorming foods and snacks he or she would like to eat. In addition to old standbys like peanut butter and jelly, try pitas or a wrap sandwich filled with grilled chicken and veggies. Try soups or salads, if your child is willing, and don’t forget last night’s leftovers as an easy lunchbox filler.

Some other healthy lunch box suggestions include: low fat deli meats like turkey or ham, whole grain bread or whole wheat tortillas instead of white, light mayonnaise instead of regular, baked chips instead of fried, fruit in it’s own juice, yogurt, trail mix, light popcorn, veggies and dip, and homemade baked goods that use healthier ingredients.

Learning to choose and consume healthier foods should begin early in life so it can become a lifetime habit and help to ensure a more fit adult life!

(Some of the information for this article was taken from the KidsHealth website)