Diet & Fitness Blog

Ask Pam: School Lunches

Thursday, August 27, 2009

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What do I pack for school lunches?

If you're like me, with several little ones (or just one), you're probably facing this dilemma as we speak. Kids are off to another year of school, and we get to figure out what meals and snacks to pack (I wish it was as easy as rhyming!). What foods can you pack that your kids will eat and won't trade with their buddies?

Packing lunches for the kids or even yourself can be stressful. But don’t let it be...make it fun and enjoyable! Think of things outside of the box that you can feel confident about, knowing your kids will enjoy them - and you, too, for that matter.

1. Think Rainbows: Color increases food consumption.
2. Love Those Shapes: Use cookie cutters and kitchen tools to cut up sandwiches.
3. Variety: It's the spice of life. The more variety, the better.
4. Cut Food up: Kids love bite-size pieces!
5. Remember Food Groups: The rule of thumb is to pick a food from each food group (veggie, fruit, grain, protein, dairy)
6. Get Them Involved: Let them do some of the packing! Trust me. If they don’t like the food, they won’t pack it!
7. Portion It Out: Keep serving sizes in check; individual servings work great.
8. Sneak a Treat: They will love you for it. A bite-size treat can do the trick!

Here are few ideas:
- Whole fruit or fruit cups in natural juice
- Cutup carrots or veggies with a side of dressing
- Peanut butter with apples or raisins
- Cheese stick or cutup cheese slices
- Yogurt cups or on-the-go types
- Sandwiches on whole grain bread, tortillas (wrap-ups) or pita pockets
- Whole-grain bagels, waffles, or pancakes
- Deli roll-ups with low fat cheese
- Dried cereal/fruit mix
- Leftover meals from the night before
- Water

Be creative and think outside the box! Presentation and taste is the key...and of course made with a little love!

Have a diet question for Pam? Email askpam@ediets.com and check back to see if your question is picked! And if you missed a previous column, click here to see the archive.

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Labels: ask pam, back to school tips, diet, dieting, nutrition, school lunchs