Here is an article I wrote recently that might be helpful for parents for this new school year…
What’s for Lunch?
Nearly one-third of our children are either overweight or obese and the sad fact that this generation is the first not to have the life expectancy of their parents is part and parcel to this. There is good news however in that one statistic states that the more education people had the less likely they were to be heavy, so let’s all focus on educating ourselves and our children. Improving children’s health by teaching them to eat better is critical to academic success as well.
As parents we start out the school year with a vow to make more creative, healthier lunches only to have, by mid-December, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches three times a week. This year let’s try something new; involve your child in the creation of their lunches. If they are part of this process, their lunches are more likely to be eaten. Sit down with your child and create a menu. Do try to change your menus seasonally and if possible, purchase organic foods when you can. Here are some ideas for you.
Monday: Hummus Celery, Carrot, Red Pepper sticks Apple
Tuesday: Peanut or Almond Butter sandwich on whole grain bread Snow peas Peach slices
Wednesday: Bean salad Red and orange pepper slices with ranch dressing Apricots
Friday: Whole grain tortilla with black beans, salsa, lettuce and shredded cheddar cheese Jicama slices sprinkled with lime juice Nectarine
Monday: Turkey sandwich on whole grain bread with grated carrots and sprouts Sliced cucumbers Pear
Tuesday: Diced chicken drizzled with Italian dressing Small salad Apple
Wednesday: Hardboiled eggs with dip of choice Cucumber slices, red pepper strips, carrot sticks Nectarine
Thursday: Peanut or almond butter spread on a whole grain tortilla cut banana slices and drizzle with a little honey and toll up. Thinly sliced raw zucchini with dip of choice Orange slices
Friday: Tuna salad mixed with chopped olives, chopped celery and mixed with Italian dressing. Raw cauliflower Cherry tomatoes
Easy tips:
You need a protein source with each meal, which can be a meat protein such as chicken, turkey or fish such as tuna, or your protein can be from beans, nut butters, tofu, tempeh or eggs. Vegetables are the key to good health; so always have veggies in the lunch. A fruit included is a healthy addition and can be eaten later in the day for a sweet pick-me-up. Veggies and fruits also supply a good carbohydrate source. Healthy fats are also necessary and can be found in avocados, olive or flax oil (used in the bean salad or in the tuna salad), and nuts.
Especially avoid:
Remember to educate your child about the dangers of drinking soda. Soda contains phosphoric acid that interferes with the uptake of calcium causing weak bones over time. No child wants weak bones, so be sure to explain why they need to drink water when thirsty and to avoid sodas, except as a rare treat.
School lunches:
If your child eats a school lunch, then go to your schools web site or ask your school administrator for a copy of the menu. Sit with your child and spend a few moments a week looking at the menu and discussing the options for lunches. One such menu from a school in Mississippi offers the following for lunch on Monday:
• Chicken Spaghetti, seasoned corn, tossed salad, honey wheat bread sticks, applesauce, assorted fruit juice
• Pepperoni Pizza or Stuffed Crust Cheese Pizza
• Freshly made to order tacos, burritos, and nachos from a selection of seasoned ground beef, or diced chicken on soft or hard shell tortilla & toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese, salsa and sour cream. Includes choice sides: Fresh Fruit and choice of milk.
• Ask your cafeteria manager about Daily Vegetarian Options.
• Choose From The Following: Freshly made to order sandwiches and wraps. Your choice of Bread & Toppings: Crispy lettuce, Sliced tomatoes, Peppers, Mayo
Tuna Salad • Chicken salad • Ham • Turkey with American cheese • Swiss cheese
• Chicken Strip Salad or Veggie Lover’s Wrap
• Available Daily: Cheeseburger & Chicken Filet
• Hot Dog w/Chili
School Lunch Tips:
Now that you and your child know the selections, you will be able to decide together what might be a healthy choice.
• Chat about how a vegetarian option isn’t necessarily the best choice if it’s all cheese. If a veggie sandwich is chosen, for example, then have one slice of cheese on whole-grain bread with lots of veggies and little mayo
• Ideally bread should be 3 grams of fiber per slice or more-ask the school
• Most likely the hot dog with chili or the cheeseburger or chicken filet will be high-fat and high-sodium not to mention that the meats used are probably not ideal in more than one way.
• If you want to understand more about sources of your food, watch ‘Food, Inc.’ as a family and perhaps some of your choices might change.
Prepare:
Set aside thirty minutes twice a week to go over menus and prepare for health. Spend another 30 minutes twice a week cutting up veggies and having them all ready to go. With a little planning this year’s school lunches will be healthier and require less time once you get into a rhythm, which includes you and your child.
Recipes:
You Create Bean Salad
Be sure to have your child make this colorful salad!
One 15 ounce beans of your choice, rinsed and drained
½ cup thinly sliced celery
½ cup diced carrots
¼ cup chopped red onions
¼ cup chopped red pepper
Olive oil and lemon juice to taste or your favorite Italian dressing
You Create Cold Noodle Salad
Your child should make this one as well!
Cook noodles of choice: Soba, Spaghetti, etc. Drain and rinse in cold water. The amount of noodles depends on your family size
Once the noodles are in a bowl, add something as simple as Italian dressing or for something interesting make the following (again, play with the amounts) and pour on the noodles:
¼ cup brown rice vinegar
¼ cup soy sauce
1-2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
Juice from ½ lemon or lime
1 tablespoon honey or agave
2 cloves minced garlic
Pepper to taste
Next add:
Chopped red pepper
Chopped cucumbers
Grated carrots
Cilantro or parsley, chopped
Be creative!
If the kitchen experience is fun, your child will be more likely to help in the future and remember when he/she creates their own lunches; they will be more likely to eat them!