healthy lunch ideas / Foter / CC BY-ND
This summer sure is going by quickly! Can you believe that the kiddos are almost ready to go back to school? We have no doubt that you have mastered your Back to School Routine, now it’s time to step up another aspect of your child’s day – their lunch!
There has been a huge push recently to upgrade the quality of lunches provided by school cafeterias, but the truth is that some still aren’t up to par. According to the Huffington Post, cafeteria lunches contain far more sodium and fat than are recommended. This makes a lunch packed at home much more satisfying and healthy than the one your child might purchase from their school.
Here are some tips about how you can provide your children with an exciting and hearty lunch from home:
Use Healthier Alternatives to Common Lunch Foods
An article from WebMD recommends swapping out some unhealthy lunch items with their healthy alternatives. For example:
- Use whole-grain bread instead of white bread when making sandwiches.
- Pack fresh fruit slices instead of fruit rolls or fruit leathers.
- Instead of potato chips, have your children try apple chips or carrot chips.
- Swap out a can of soda for a healthier beverage, like a bottle of water.
Break the Sandwich Monotony
Kids typically like some variety in their lunchboxes. Getting a turkey sandwich every day can get boring fast, so why not keep an eye out for some easy entrée alternatives? Here are a few ideas that you can try:
- If your kids are picky, try giving them a wrap with their favorite sandwich ingredients. It’s a great way to show them that variety is the spice of life.
- You can also give your picky kids pita pockets.
- Sloppy Joes aren’t just for dinner anymore! Just remember to put the filling in a separate Tupperware or Thermos and let your kids assemble it at lunch – that way the bun won’t get soggy. (You can also use this trick to give them a meatball sub! Yum!)
- Skewers are a great way to combine proteins and vegetables for your kids. And they’re easy to make too!
- When the weather cools down, send your child a thermos full of warm and delicious soup – just don’t forget to pack a spoon!
Keep your Kids from Getting Sick
Most schools don’t offer refrigeration for lunch bags, so take a minute and make sure that your child’s lunch stays at the proper temperature until lunch time. A few quick and easy ways to do this include making sure that your child uses an insulated lunch bag, and making sure to include an ice pack every day. If you want to get creative, you can also freeze your child’s water bottle overnight before it gets sent to school. You can also help keep your child germ-free by storing a small bottle of hand sanitizer in their lunch bag or backpack.
When you’re done packing your children a healthy and satisfying school lunch, take another few minutes and call us at Vargas and Vargas Insurance at 877-550-0025 to learn how you could save money on your home insurance or auto insurance policy. This is a surefire way to earn “Super Parent” status!
Photo credit: healthy lunch ideas / Foter / CC BY-ND
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