Get Packing…for school, that is

Can you believe school is back next week?! With it comes early morning routines, possible arguments over outfits and packing school lunches. I can’t help with the first two issues…but I can help with the last.

Before school goes back, get ready for lunch time and snack prep with these tips:
• What kind of lunch bag does your child have? An insulated bag will help keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.
• Do you have the right food containers? Insulated containers are good for hot foods like soup or chili. Having other food containers in a variety of sizes ensures that you will not have to resort to disposable plastic bags.
• Do you have a couple of frozen ice packs on hand in the freezer?
• Is your child a good hand washer? If not, pack hand sanitizer in their lunch bag.

Once you have the basics taken care of, next on the list is…food! Besides your regular grocery items, make sure you stock up on healthy snacks and foods to make lunches they’ll eat.

Involve your kids in lunch and snack planning. Kids who help plan, shop and prepare their lunch are more likely to eat it. Ask them what some of their favorite snack and lunch choices are and try to include them as often as possible.

Try to pack a lunch that includes at least three out of the four food groups. To ensure this is possible, have healthy options from all four food groups in your house:
• Vegetables and Fruit: fresh, frozen and canned options.
• Grain Products: whole grain bread products such as breads, English muffins, bagels, tortillas and naan, whole grain (homemade, if possible) muffins and whole grain cereals.
• Milk and Alternatives: lower fat milk, yogurt and cheeses.
• Meat and Alternatives: leftovers of home-cooked meats, lean deli ham, eggs and non-nut butters.

Nutritious snacks help to keep children going between meals, and also provide energy and important nutrients. Try to plan snacks that include at least two out of the four food groups.

If lunches and snacks start to get boring during the school year, look through cookbooks and online recipes for healthy and kid-friendly ideas. Here’s to a healthy and nutritious school year!

If you have any nutrition topics you would like me to write about or have a question you would like answered, email me at thedishonlcn@gmail.com.