Need Help Packing a Healthy Lunch? Try This
By Virginia Laird
Are you and your children ready for school to begin? Many families have begun the back-to-school rituals, including shopping, and check off other necessary to-do’s. One of the items you may find on your list is figuring out how to pack a healthy lunch that will please your child. What you pack in your child’s lunchbox is vital in a healthy eating routine. Health and wellness experts have put together a list of tips that can help parents make healthy choices to pack in the lunchbox this school year, including:
- Try a flavored water
- Make veggies a staple in your lunch
- Leave the junk at home
Try a Flavored Water
For those who have children who refuse to consume plain water, there are a wide variety of flavored waters in the market. When trying to find a flavor that will suit your child’s taste buds, make sure to check the labels before committing to one certain brand. Some use the sweetener aspartame, which has been linked to many health issues. Health and wellness experts suggest that drinking plenty of water (flavored or not) and staying hydrated can help keep the body healthy. It is advised that everyone should consume at least half of their body weight in ounces each day. Taking water in the lunchbox can help your child meet than goal.
Make Veggies a Staple in Your Lunch
If you are concerned about keeping your children eating healthy as they head back to school, making sure to pack veggies daily in their lunch is one step in the right direction. For children who do not love veggies, there are plenty of things you can do to disguise these healthy treats, including adding dips and hummus. If you need other ideas, check out this site.
Leave the Junk at Home
While many children long for cookies and chips in their lunchbox for school, these foods lack the nutrition necessary to offer any healthy aspects to the lunch. Rather than cookies, try fruit to satisfy the sweet tooth. If chips are necessary, choose baked chips. For children who feel completely deprived without some junk food, packing their favorite tasty treat once a week can work. Health and wellness experts suggest if this is something you need to do, try making it a perk for eating their lunch well all week.
Although your child may beg you for all the junk that can be thrown quickly into a lunchbox, stick to your plan. Good luck and may your home be blessed with a healthy and happy school year!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Memphis, Tenn.