Creating the Perfect Lunch for Your Child

By Donna Stark

It's back to school for many children across the country and for their parents, which means it is time for the endless stream of packed lunches to begin. It also means the complaints are right around the corner too. From the half-eaten lunches that are brought back home to the lengthy list of excuses on why they weren't eaten, being in charge of packing everyone's lunch can be a thankless job, can't it? There has to be an easier way to do it, right?

Healthy Lunches Your Children Will Eat

Let's be honest here. Is there anything worse than desperately trying to find the magic combination of lunch items that will ensure your children are getting the nutrition they need? Wouldn't you just love to end your day without throwing left-behind food away? If you are looking for ways to keep everyone happy and healthy, take a look at the tips below. They will help you plan and organize the best lunches around.

Skip the Baggies

Have you ever eaten sliced fruit after it has been sitting in a hot plastic bag for hours? Pretty gross, wasn't it? Well, it's gross for your children too. Skip the sandwich bags altogether and invest in some multiple-compartment lunch containers. It's the best way to keep the goldfish crackers from getting soggy, the fruit from getting mushy, and the sandwiches from sliding apart.

Have Your Children List Their Favorites

By sitting down with your children and creating a list of parent-approved food items, everyone can begin to look forward to lunchtime. Ask them to list their favorite sandwiches or wraps, fruit and vegetables, and healthy snacks. Also, ask them what kind of hot foods they would like for when the temperatures dip! There is nothing better than some hot macaroni and cheese to eat for lunch when everyone around them is still chowing down on peanut butter and jelly.

Prepping Ahead of Time

When you get back home from grocery shopping, prep those lunch items ahead of time. This is great for saving time in the mornings and is the best way to ensure those items will get packed. They certainly won't do your children any good if they sit in your refrigerator's crisper box and then are forgotten about.

Healthy Lunches, Healthy Kids

Set your children up for success and good health by taking the necessary steps to pack nutritious lunches they are excited to eat! By keeping the food protected and fresh, involving your children in the selection process, and getting everything prepared ahead of time, that endless stream of lunches you have to look forward to won't be as bad as years past. Good luck!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Franklin, Tenn.