Settling in to the hustle and bustle of a new school year can sometimes leave parents reaching for pre-made and quick-fix lunches. But these can be harmful to your child’s health and to the environment. A few moments spent planning ahead can help your pocket, the ozone layer, and your child’s nutrition.
1) Stock up on reusable containers, t-ware, sports bottles, and switch to cloth napkins or washcloths. For those of us concerned with the use of plastics, stainless steel can also be a nice option. And if you do choose plastic, give the label a quick glance and make sure that the plastics are free of BPA and lead. Consider a bento box! This is the route I have chosen, because it can go right in the dishwasher, it stores in one piece so I don't lose any lids. :)
2) Stay away from individually wrapped foods. Full-size containers are cheaper and can reduce waste from wrappers, lids, etc. Larger containers are also great to wash out and keep around for kid's craft projects and storage. Fun project: a large cottage cheese container can be decorated using glue and tissue paper to make a great storage container for crayons, pens, markers, or even dry foods like rice.
3) Plan lunches with your child. Children love to give their opinions and it is a great way to spend time together. If you are short on time, do what I do and brainstorm ideas together in the car on the way to dance or sports practices and then right them on a piece of paper when you get home. If you do have more time, make a calendar menu and keep it up on the fridge, this can help you save time in the morning when it is easy to lose your train of thought. If your child can write, try letting them fill in the menu. If they can’t, let them draw a small picture of the meal.
4) Get Healthy! Use lunch as an opportunity to introduce a new fruit or vegetable along with ones they already like, water-down juices to reduce sugar, send in plain water or milk, and limit or cut out sweets and chips. And don’t be afraid to send-in those leftovers! My daughter loves leftover meatballs, casseroles, or leftover purple macaroni and cheese.
5) Get Creative! Write a quick note, use a cookie-cutter for sandwiches, try tie-dying your napkins, or use the meal itself as an outlet for creativity. Try fruit or chicken kabobs. Tri-colored pasta with yogurt butter, or anything that involves dipping! A speedy lunch favorite in my home is turkey hot dogs (without nitrates) heated and thrown in a thermos with two squirts of ketchup. My daughter then gives it a shake when she gets to school to, as she says, “distribute the ketchup evenly."
For the past few years, a number of articles have linked school lunches and childhood obesity. Why not start off this school year on the right foot?
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