PLANNING A LUNCH KIDS WILL APPROVE
Lunch plays a vital role in children’s health and school performance so it is critical their lunches include nutritious foods they will eat. The main key is getting the children to eat the healthy lunch you have packed and only eat the fun snacks included. Studies show that children, who skip lunch, are more likely to have trouble concentration in the classroom, lack of energy for after-school activities, and overeat on low-nutrient, after school snacks compared to those who eat a nutritious lunch.
Whether a child enjoys lunch from home or a school-provided lunch, the goal is to fill the child up with a nutrient-rich meal to fuel their developing brains and bodies for the afternoon. A challenge that may arise is providing a lunch that not only is nutrient-rich but appeals to your child. Give the below tips and ideas a try in creating lunches your child will eat rather than trade, throw away, or bring back home.
SIT DOWN AND PLAN TOGETHER
Encourage children to pack their own lunch. Kids who have a vested interest in their lunch are more likely to eat it.
Try new foods. Pack your child fun, new foods for them to try. Have the child pick out a new food they are willing to try when grocery shopping.
Invest in “fun” and colorful lunch utensils and containers. Have a thermos for cold or hot food items and a cool lunch pack that the kid cannot wait to open and see all the goodies inside. Using colorful containers helps distract kids from some of the foods they may not want to eat but are nutritious. Eye-appeal is a strong factor in influencing a child’s food intake.
DON’T BE AFRAID OF VARIETY
Kids may want to eat the same thing for a couple of weeks in a row before moving on to a new food but making small changes in the way the food is made or prepared can make a world of difference. For instance, if a child loves to eat sandwiches, try preparing a wrap, cracker sandwiches, or bread-free sandwiches such as a slice of lunch meat wrapped around a cheese stick.
BE SNEAKY
Sneak in fruit and vegetables, as well as other healthy foods such as quinoa or flax seeds. Blend or grind in the ingredients and add to their favorite yogurt or make bread with some hidden ingredients. At the end of the article is a chocolate zucchini cupcake recipe kids are sure to love!
Dishin’ Out Healthy- Health Educator: Nichelle Hoege
“One cannot think, love, sleep well if one has not dined well.” – Virginia Woolf
Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes Recipe @ eatrite.org
Source: eatright.org: Stacey Antine, MS, RD, is founder of HealthBarn USA.
