Strong4Life Healthy Back To School Lunch Ideas

Lunch is more than just a break in the day; it’s truly a refueling opportunity for your kids. This is why it’s important that they have a balanced meal with foods that are designed to keep them feeling full for the longest amount of time.  A powerlunch should include a protein and carbohydrates. Note: Protein (ex: lean meats, cheese, hummus, etc.) takes twice as long to digest, which means kids stay fuller longer.  Kids who don’t eat a protein at lunch are the ones who are typically hungry and dissatisfied before the end of the day.   Carbohydrates (ex: 100% whole grain bread, wraps, crackers, pasta, fruit) fuel your kid’s brains and give them energy. 

 

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Strong4Life Registered Dietitian provided the following sample meals (that are fulfilling, easy to make and inexpensive and easy to make)

1.      Gobble Me Up: A turkey sandwich on 100% whole wheat bread, paired with fruit and veggies will keep them going strong through the afternoon.  (100% whole grain is high in fiber; this will also help to keep hunger at bay.)

Sample Lunch: Turkey sandwich on 100% whole wheat bread, fresh apple, baby carrots and 1% plain low-fat milk or water 

 2.      Pasta Perfecto: Who says lunch has to be a sandwich? Whole-wheat pasta is a fun, good-for-you change from the ordinary.

Sample Lunch: Pasta salad made with 100% whole wheat pasta and fresh veggies (like bell peppers, tomatoes or broccoli), hard-boiled egg, fruit cup packed in 100% juice and 1% plain low-fat milk or water

3.      Veg Out: Kids love to dip their food, so why not pack some veggies and humus for lunch? Add our healthy sides and they’re good to go!

Sample Lunch: Fresh veggies (like cucumber, carrots or bell peppers) with hummus, whole grain crackers or rice cakes, grapes and low-fat milk or water

4.      That’s a Wrap:  Switch up your sandwich by using a 100% whole-wheat wrap, rolled around the wholesome foods they love.

Sample Lunch: Leftover baked chicken and veggies (like lettuce and tomato) wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla, banana, low-fat yogurt and water

 

5.      Sandwich Switcheroo: Instead of a turkey or chicken sandwich, surprise your kiddo with a whole-wheat nutter butter or tuna salad sandwich (just go easy on the mayo).

Sample Lunch: Nut butter (peanut, almond, sunflower) or tuna salad sandwich on 100% whole wheat bread, dressing, unsweetened applesauce, low fat string cheese and water

*Check with your school about their nut allergy policy

Click here for more back to school tips Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

BACK TO SCHOOL: SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS/PARTIES

Back to school means classroom parties, fundraisers and after-school events. And with those celebrations come pizza, chips, cupcakes and cookies—not a smart (or healthy) way to party!

But you as parents can turn school and extracurricular celebrations into opportunities for fun and healthy eating. Check outStrong4Life’s Party Planning Tips for throwing A+ parties.

Healthy celebrations teach kids a valuable lesson about positive lifestyle choices:

·         Ditch the sugary drinks. Encourage water, not soda, sports drinks or juice.

·         Limit sweet treats. Serve plenty of colorful fruit and veggies instead.

·         Take the focus off food by planning more activities.

·         Create a scavenger hunt, do arts and crafts, have a dance party or enjoy extra playground time.

·         Check out your school’s wellness policy for more ideas—and add your own!

Photo credit: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta