GreenLivingZone.com

Packing a Healthy School Lunch

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by Guest Blogger, Roe Melnicove – Health Consultant

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School days are always on parents’ and children’s minds and I can’t help but wonder if we are putting as much thought into what we will pack for our children’s lunches as we did when we selected the lunchbox itself. If you were like me, we visited several stores before selecting just the right lunchbox; it needed to be a certain color, shape and size. I was amazed at how much time was spent selecting such a simple item!

Your child’s school lunches are a major source of the essential vitamins and minerals they will need to grow and develop over the years. Did you know that, according to recent research, healthy lunches are an essential tool in a student’s ability to learn effectively? In fact, studies show that kids who eat a healthy breakfast, as well as a healthy lunch, have better cognitive function, improved performance in the classroom, more energy, and fewer absences from school. Without enough energy from food, children will feel tired and find it difficult to concentrate in class. Foods high in sugars and additives are the main culprits here; they are way too over-stimulating for our children’s brains and bodies. These are some mighty powerful findings; so let me give you just a few tips to follow when packing those lunches.

Be sure to keep the lunch “kid friendly” and simple. Be creative! Remember that children are more interested in the way something looks and the way it tastes then its nutritional value. For young children, be sure to keep the portions small; this will have an instant appeal for them. Remember that children judge food by taste, touch, and sight. Keep them interested with lunches that include a variety of shapes, colors, and textures.

Try to think of ways to get protein into their lunch. A small cup of tuna salad or hummus in a vegetable wrap are great ways to add protein. Remember that kids love to dip. Pack hummus, soy butter, peanut butter, or guacamole for them to use as healthy dips. Send in raw veggies to eat with these dips, such as, baby carrots, broccoli heads, and red pepper strips. They are all easy to pack, yet so nutritious.

Grains are a necessity in your kid’s diet. Try using multigrain pitas, flatbread, tortillas, or wholegrain cereal instead of plain bread. This is much healthier for them and it makes the lunch much more interesting to youngsters.

Add variety. At least half of their lunch should include fruits and vegetables. Pack strawberries, blueberries, pears, apples, melon balls, and cherry tomatoes. Try sending in a fruit smoothie as an alternative.

So, as a final reminder, remember to “think outside of the box” when preparing those school lunches. By packing a variety of healthy, tasty foods, you are guaranteed to please even the pickiest of eaters.

Roe Melnicove is a believer in healthy living for herself and her family. She has a successful health business in the South Jersey area and you may feel free to contact her with any questions.

Roe Melnicove

Juice Plus+

roejp@comcast.net

856-358-1038