For years, the school lunch has gotten a bad rap. From mystery meat to government cheese, school lunches were cheap, filling and not so nutritious. Everyone from President Obama to Jamie Oliver wants to change that so this week is dedicated to offering healthier options in schools.
Round Rock ISD Food Services launched new menus for the 2010-2011 school year, designed to meet the new Gold Level of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Healthier U.S. Schools Challenge. What does that mean? Offering a different vegetable and fruit daily. Adding legumes to the menu several times a week and offering whole grain options. While this is certainly a start, some parents argue that their children still don't get a balanced meal because the kids themselves are allowed to make too many choices at lunch time. If you want to see what your kids are buying for lunch this month, you can view RRISD menus here.
With childhood obesity at an all-time high, it's easy to point fingers at bad cafeteria food in schools, but what about those packing their lunch? Are you really sending healthier options with your kids? Here are some ideas for keeping those bagged lunches healthy as well:
1. Replace regular white bread with whole grain options. Even kids who think they only eat white bread will benefit from white whole wheat options.
2. Replace bread with a whole grain or vegetable tortilla or pita bread. Both offer fewer calories and offer a fun alternative to the traditional sandwich.
3. Use last night's leftover pasta to create a healthy pasta salad. Add chopped veggies, diced meat or tuna and dress lightly with a vinaigrette instead of mayonnaise.
4. Small children like finger foods. Skip the carb load on occasion and simply chunk up lean meats and cheeses. Toss a bag of pretzel sticks in the lunch bag to use as 'skewers'.
5. Even picky kids like grape tomatoes. They're small and sweet.
6. Hard-boiled eggs pack a lot of protein and kids love peeling them. Cook up a few at the beginning of the week for the basis of a good lunch when you're short on time.
7. Buy a good thermos and use it to send healthy soups. Alternatively, you can put a thermos in the refrigerator the night before and use it to keep things cool until lunch time like yogurt, salad or chopped fresh fruit. (I got a TherMax Thermos in a white elephant gift exchange that is perfect for this. It holds approximately 10 ounces and keeps food cold-or hot- for hours.)
8. Send pickles. A large dill pickle is filling and provides the 'crunch' kids crave instead of chips.
9. Make your own trail mix. Picky kids often shun this adult food because it contains things they don't like or have never tried. Instead, make your own and include things you know your kids will eat: peanuts, granola clusters and dried fruit. Make it dessert by adding a few chocolate chips. This snack will pack more protein and less sugar than a cookie.
10. Pack bottled water or low calorie and low sugar drink options.
More ideas for changing up your regular brown bag lunch: Change up your everyday sandwich
Got ideas for packing a healthy lunch? Feel free to comment below so other readers can benefit.
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