by Alisha Link

Created on: March 13, 2008

We all want are children to be happy and healthy eaters. Unfortunately, school menus seem to be dominated by fatty, fried, and processed foods that are really not the best choice for our children. The only thing to do is pack a lunch, but it can sometimes be hard to give your children variety. Most schools don't allow children to warm up foods and children can be picky, so get your children involved and let them make their own menu for the week. Then you'll be assured they will eat their food, and it's special because they helped in the process.

In our family, we break all meals down into main entrees, sides,and something sweet. Make a list of possible options for your children, and let them pick one item from each category.

MAIN IDEAS

*Peanut butter and jelly is great, just make sure your using whole grain breads or tortillas, and all natural peanut butter. Skippy makes a good creamy all-natural peanut butter if your child doesn't like the graininess of most all-naturals.

*Turkey(or other lean meat) and low fat cheese wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla.

*Pizza is a great option, especially if your child doesn't mind eating cold pizza. Use leftover pizza, or make your own with whole wheat English muffins or bagels.

*Tuna or chicken salad in an whole wheat pita. For an added nutritional bonus use grapes, apples, or nuts in your salad.

SIDES

*Whole wheat pretzels, bagel or pita chips, or baked chips are a great alternative to fatty crackers or regular potato chips.

*Dried fruit is an easy option as there is no cutting required. They provide about the same nutritional value, and they are less messy. Try raisins, cranberries, bananas, and apricots.

*Nuts and seeds are a good source of iron and protein, but make sure you know the school rules where nuts are concerned. Some schools do no nuts at all, some do none as classroom snacks, and some only ban peanuts. Cashews, almonds, and sunflower seeds(no shell) can give children that crunchy saltiness they like so much.

*Fruits and veggies with dip. Apples and peanut butter, carrots and low-fat ranch, and strawberries and yogurt dip are all good options.

*String cheese or cut up low fat cheese with whole wheat crackers is one of my kid's staples.

SOMETHING SWEET

*Whole grain muffins or breads are a great sweet treat for the kids. Try pumpkin, cranberry, or banana nut muffins.

*Parfait it up with some yogurt and fresh fruit and top with a little granola or whole grain cereal.

*Unsweetened or sugar free applesauce, jello, or pudding are great sweet treats that come in individual containers for easy packing.

*Splurge a little every once in awhile with homemade cookies or a handful of chocolate chips for a special treat.

For drinks pack a bottled water, 100% fruit juice, or let your child buy a milk at school. Most schools offer milk cheaper than you could buy it individually and offer it 1% and skim.

With childhood obesity and diabetes on the rise, it is crucial that our children learn about proper nutrition at an early age. What better way to do that, then to plan their own healthy meal. Hopefully these kid tested and approved ideas from my family will be beneficial to yours as well.

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