Lunchbox Meals for Kids
If your child doesn't eat what you pack in his lunchbox, it doesn't make any difference how healthy you make it. Have children choose from a selection of healthy foods from different categories, help in the preparation of the lunch and they are more apt to eat it. Children like interesting foods that have different shapes, colors and are eaten with their fingers. Keep portions small; just because a food is nutritious doesn't mean to double-up on it. Does this Spark an idea?
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Dairy Category
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It's not a smart idea to expect your child to buy milk at school -- it simply may not happen. Instead, pack dairy foods such as white cheese sticks, which are sold individually packaged, or simply cut the child's favorite cheese into square portions and wrap with cellophane. Low-fat yogurt is a good substitute; avoid sugary, calorie-rich varieties. Limit low-fat pudding made with milk to once or twice weekly.
Fruit Category
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Cut fresh fruits into wedges or bite-size portions. Apples, bananas and pears as well as any other fruit that oxidizes remain appetizing if they're dipped in lemon or lime juice. If fresh fruits are impractical for any reason, then canned or frozen fruits are a nutrient-rich and healthy substitute, as long as they're packed in water or their own juice, with no sugar added.
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Vegetable Category
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Kids are more likely to eat vegetables that are very small, such as grape tomatoes or carrot sticks. Vegetables are easily worked into sandwiches as part of chicken or tuna salad or on as garnish on a sandwich, such as leaf spinach. Vegetable soup is always a good source of vitamins and minerals and is especially welcome in the colder months.
Grain Category
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Make sandwiches from whole grain breads. For finicky children who don't like whole grain bread try a variety of whole grain bread that looks just like white bread. Brown rice, corn and whole grain pasta are perfect for soup and whole grain cereal mixed with chopped dried fruit makes a good snack, and is also an excellent source of whole grains.
Meats, Fish and Fowl Category
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You can provide meat protein for your child as lunch meat, tuna or chicken sandwich filling or cold chicken strips with a low-fat ranch dressing dipping sauce.
Sweet Snacks
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Graham crackers with a thin spread of peanut butter or dried fruit can satisfy his sweet tooth and keep a child full for a while.
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References
- Photo Credit Lunchbox image by Scott Williams from Fotolia.com
