| Like breakfast
, lunch is an important meal for kids. They need lunch every day at school
for the energy to learn and play for the rest of the day. Here are some
healthy, tasty tips for helping kids eat a healthy school lunch:
|
| Bring Your Own |
| Making lunch at home and taking it to school is a great
way to ensure your kids are getting healthy foods. You can: |
|
Let Them Help. Let your kids help make lunch. Kids are more likely
to eat the lunch they bring to school if they have some say in the menu
and preparation. Even young kids can spread peanut butter on bread or
put some cut up veggies in a single serve bag.
|
|
Pack It Safely. Keep lunches cold for food safety! Use an ice
pack to keep foods from spoiling and to decrease the risk of getting sick
from food-related germs.
|
|
Pack Cool Combos: Include a good combination of several of the
following: sandwich, canned or fresh fruit cup, veggies like baby carrots,
low-fat yogurt, single serving container of low-fat or skim milk, granola
bar or low-fat pudding.
|
| Buy At School
|
| Short on time? School lunch food options can be the solution.
Some tips to remember: |
|
Check On Choices. Check with your children on what they bought
to eat. Recommend that your child buy the main meal offered at school,
because they meet the nutrient needs of students and are the best value.
Guide your child away from the a la carte line – it usually has less healthy
choices and costs more than the school lunch.
|
|
Avoid Vending Machines. Your child may want to buy foods from
vending machines when cafeteria lines are long. Remind them that it is
hard to get a balanced lunch unless the machines are refrigerated and
stocked with healthy sandwiches, fruit or milk.
|
|
Drink More Milk. Find out if your school has a milk vending machine
and encourage your child to use it. Many are stocked with flavored milk
kids love.
|
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