Most children are faced with poor choices in the school lunch line each day – the food is high in fat, sodium, and calories. The broccoli is smothered in cheese, the potatoes are usually hash browns cooked in grease, and they are accompanied by hot dogs, pizza, and chocolate milk! You can help your child eat a healthier lunch at school by packing up some of their favorites. Here are some ideas offered by two NHA moms.
I pack lunches for my three children each day. David, 9, is in the fourth grade, Michael, 6, is in Kindergarten, and Kaitlyn, 3, is in preschool. They attend Montessori School in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Here are some of their favorite lunches and snacks:
Hot Items and Sandwiches:
Steamed Potatoes
Veggie “chicken” soup
“Macaroni and Cheese” made with soy cheese and soy milk
Brown rice with chives
Banana “Sandwich”: bananas cut lengthwise spread with almond butter
Drinks:
Carrot juice
Fruit Smoothies
Rice milk
Water
Fresh squeezed orange juice
Snacks:
Popcorn
Dried Apricots
Almonds, pecans, walnuts
Applesauce
Raisins
Apple Rings
Cindy Lukowitz
My son Michael is 4 and in preschool. For his first year taking a lunch, the items in his lunchbox needed to be:
1. Easy to eat and not messy
2. Stored at room temperature without spoiling/discoloring
Fruits/vegetables:
Grapes, strawberries, bananas
Raw green beans
Yellow and red cherry tomatoes
Berries (raspberries, blueberries, mulberries, etc.)
Sandwiches:
Avocado Sandwich: nut/oat bread, 1/2 avocado, 1/2 sliced cucumber
Nut or Soy Butter Sandwich: soy butter or nut butter and organic fruit spread on nut/oat bread
Treats:
Homemade soy pudding
Homemade oatmeal cookies
Dried cranberries, raisins, or other non-sulfur dried fruits
Drinks:
Distilled water (soymilk is provided at school if he desires)
Susan Hira
©Copyright 2002. All Rights Reserved. Health Science is the publication of the National Health Association. This article reprinted from the Fall 2002 issue.