Lunch is just as important as breakfast. The nutrients your child gets from lunch, maintains them throughout the day. A healthy lunch will improve concentration and keep your child from feeling sluggish during the afternoon.
Plan for healthy choices. Planning a lunch menu will help ensure that your child is getting a healthy meal. If you plan ahead and make sure you have all of the ingredients you need for the week, it is less likely you will grab processed and less healthy choices.
Plan a Lunch Menu
Another perk of planning a lunch menu. If you have a picky eater, let them get involved with the menu planning. If your kids are involved with the selections, they are more likely to eat what is in their lunch box. Start by giving your child a selection of healthy choices. By getting them involved in the decision, you may just be able to distract from the fact that all of options are healthy foods.
Components of a healthy lunch. A healthy lunch should include one portion of protein, one portion of carbohydrate, fresh fruits & vegetables and a calcium-rich food. Some good options are listed below:
Protein: tuna, hummus, turkey breast, lean deli ham or roast beef, cottage cheese, hard boiled egg, and peanut butter.
Carbohydrate: whole wheat bread, pita, tortilla, multi-grain bagel, English muffin and rye bread.
Fruits and Vegetables: grapes, orange, banana, pear, apple, peach, plum, raisins, carrot & celery sticks and green salad with cherry tomatoes.
Calcium Rich Foods: Greek yogurt, cubed cheese, cottage cheese, cheese sticks and milk.
Don’t forget to make it fun! Cut a sandwich into shapes, like a heart or star. Try making pin-wheels, wraps or roll-ups. Include a lunch box note. You can get a list of free printable lunch notes here.
Planning a lunch menu will make your mornings go more smoothly and ensure that your child gets the nutrition they need.