Back to School 2016
BACK TO SCHOOL | SCHOOL LUNCH
Healthy Packed Options
O
ne of the biggest changes for a kid coming off of summer vacation is getting back into the habit of
quick, easy lunches. This can be a challenge for parents too. After a summer of having time to
prepare a variety of meals, the school lunch structure can take some getting used to.
Many of us want the healthi-
est options for our children,
but finding the time to make
this happen can be difficult.
With creativity — and a child
who isn’t too picky — there are
many ways to incorporate a
diverse array of healthy foods.
FRUITS AND VEGGIES
The meat-cheese-cracker
lunch package options are con-
venient, but they’re also lacking
fruits and vegetables. As more
and more research comes out
showing the effects of pro-
cessed foods on our overall
health, consider making your
own variety pack for your
child’s lunch.
Fresh meats and cheeses can
still be a staple of the meal, but
don’t forget to add a container
of grapes or a full apple. Celery
sticks with a side of peanut
butter is a convenient option,
and green peppers can easily
be sliced and packed for a
healthy side option.
WARM IT UP
Lunch doesn’t always have to
be cold. Your A-plus student
deserves a little variety.
Purchase a lunchbox-sized
thermos that can store heated
foods for up to a full day.
Instructions will vary with each
product, but you basically will
need to fill the container with
boiling water and let it stand
for a few minutes. Next, heat
© FOTOLIA
up your food to the desired
temperature and replace the
water with the food in the ther-
mos.
This approach opens a
whole new world of lunchtime
options, including soups, cas-
seroles and leftovers. It also
allows you to send fresh,
healthy meals for your child
and gives you great variety
throughout the course of the
school year.
PREPARE
We’ve all done the lunchtime
packing rush. You lose track of
time in the morning and are
forced to throw together a
hodgepodge meal for your
child’s lunch. This can lead to
packing for convenience
instead of healthfulness.
When possible, try to at least
come up with the idea for
lunch the night before. You can
still pack it in the morning, but
having a plan in place before
the rush of the school day can
go a long way toward making
sure you’re sending your child
with a healthy lunch.
17