Tips on Preparing Healthy School Lunches
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We’ve all been there when preparing our kids’ school lunches— we tend to make the same things over and over. The importance of providing our children with a variety of meals not only creates healthy eating habits but will also help excite your kids at lunch time with new foods. Here are seven tips to help make preparing lunch easier, along with a weekly lunch plan.
Healthy School Lunch Tips…
Include a variety of foods from different food groups, such as whole grains, lean proteins, plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats.
Use whole grains whenever possible, such as whole grain bread, pasta, and crackers, as they are higher in fiber and nutrients compared to refined grains.
Include a source of protein in each lunch to help keep your child full and energized throughout the day, such as lean meats, beans, nuts, seeds, eggs, or dairy products.
Include plenty of fruits and vegetables for vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Aim for a rainbow of colors to ensure a variety of nutrients.
Avoid sugary drinks and opt for water, unsweetened tea, or low-fat milk as the primary beverage choice.
Limit processed and high-fat foods, such as fried foods, sugary snacks, and sugary beverages.
Get creative with presentation to make the lunch appealing and enjoyable for your child. Use colorful containers, cut fruits and vegetables into fun shapes, and pack the lunch in a way that is easy for your child to eat.
With Maple you can meal prep and keep all of your lunch recipes in one spot to simplify your mornings!
