Healthy, Fun And Swap-proof School Lunches

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

(NAPSA)—To help parents and caregivers faced with the everchallenging task of preparing healthful school lunches that kids will actually eat, Registered Dietitian Sarah Wally offers a few tips: *Include all food groups. A balanced lunch is a healthful lunch. Follow the MyPlate mealplanning model and pack a serving or two from each ofthe following categories: grains, vegetables, fruit, dairy and protein. Vegetables and fruits should account for roughly half of the meal. *Keep foods safe. Making sure hot foods stay hot and cool foods stay cool is imperative to keep food-borne illness at bay. Insulated thermoses are a great option for storing soups or warm pasta. Adding a frozen juice box to your kid’s lunch bag creates an instant ice pack to keep cool items chilled and it will defrost just in time to enjoy at lunch. As a bonus, just 4 ounces of 100% juice counts as a serving (half a cup)offruit. *Get the kids involved. Asking your children to help plan their weekly lunches lets them feel important and in control. Share with them yourcriteria for a healthy lunch and then give them someoptions to choose from. Kids will enjoy a break from repetitious lunches and learn a bit about creating healthful meals. Use lunchtime as a way to connect. A handwritten note can = The lunch you packfor your child can be one she'll like and good for her, too. be a surprising, sentimental way to reconnect with your kids. Use a napkin to write a few words of encouragement before that afterlunch test or important soccer game. It can maketheir day. Recipe for a Healthful Lunch Box Choose whole grain breads andcrackers for added fiber. Pack 100% juice, providing vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compoundscalled phytonutrients. Stick to low-fat or fat-free dairy products. *Help your kids to “eat the rainbow”by offering a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. Learn More For more information, log on to www.fruitjuicefacts.org.

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