Beat the Lunch Box Blues
School is well underway! Are you tired of making lunch yet? It may be hard to believe, but research suggests cafeterias provide healthier meals than home-prepped varieties. Does your lunch need a makeover? Below are five of the main complaints with bagged lunches, along with solutions to improve this mid-day meal and show your lunchbox some love:
“Half of the lunch comes back home at the end of the day.” This problem is easy to solve and simply means the lunch is TOO BIG. Don’t worry about packing so many choices for lunch, and instead, stick to the basics. Generally, more options mean more packaged foods, such as crackers, chips or cookies. Focus on 3 or 4 items for lunch and keep portions in check.
“My kids are bored with the same lunch every day!” The solution here: keep it simple. Typically, kids are creatures of habit and embrace familiarity. Work with them to find a few lunches they love and rotate between 3 or 4 options that are sure to please.
“I don’t know what to pack for the main course.” School lunches aren’t formal affairs, so feel free to forget the main course and try a few portioned, healthy favorites. Stick with the rule of five – whole grains, lean protein, fruit, vegetables, and dairy – included for a tasty, nutritious lunch.
“I can’t seem to find a snack that’s both healthy and on-the- go.” While it can often seem like a challenge, there are great snack options that deliver on scrumptious taste, nutritional value and convenience. GoGo squeeZ YogurtZ is a delicious new snack made with real yogurt and fruit, has 4 grams of protein, 15% daily value of Calcium and Vitamin D, and no artificial ANYTHING. The best part is – NO fridge needed! The no spoon, no mess pouch delivers a shelf stable healthy snack both you and your kids will love. It’s so cool it doesn’t have to be cold!
“I don’t have enough time to pack my kid’s lunch every day.” Empower your children with their food choices by getting them involved! This is a perfect way to not only help them become familiar with healthy food options, but can also give mom and dad a break! By allowing kids to PRACTICE choosing nutritious foods, they will learn how to make the healthiest choices for lunch and beyond. Consider packing the night before, let them choose what to pack, and review their menu tomake sure it fits within your guidelines for a healthy meal!