Brown bag lunches

Even when we can't with them, we want our children to eat nutritious. This problem is that when children are at school, we aren't there to help make the meal enticing and interesting. What can be done to prevent your child from ignoring or tossing out the lunch and snack you packed?



You can succees in packing taste, nutrition, and convenience! One of the keys is to emphasize variety. keep a varied supply of healthy whole grain breads, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, and meats in your refrigerator and freezer to give your child a good variety of meals. Moving toward more viriety is healthier as well as begin more interesting to your child. Variety also helps many children remain receptive to trying new foods as they get older.

Most children of any age love to find a surprise in their lunch! try putting a funny sticker, a photo, picture,or even just a happy face in toddler lunches to help perk up their interest. older children enjoy a simple note reminding them that your are thinking about them. Simple is best; you don't want the note to distract from the lunch, but to enhance it!

Vegetables. keep plenty of fresh vegetables pre prepared in your refrigerator. Carrot sticks will store well in a container of water in your refrigerator. Cut-up broccoli florets will store well in an airtight bag for about two weeks. keep a clean cucumber on hand, and slice off a thick piece as a lunch box supplement. Teethers in particular like to chew on a nice cold piece of cucumber, especially in the summer. I call it Toddler Water melon!

Cheese. Vary not only the kind of cheese but also the form to keep interest high. Use spreads on cracker "sandwiches," provide string cheese sticks which toddlers seem to love , send small cups or baggies of grated cheese, pack wrapped slices of american cheese or small squares of mild cheddar, or spread cream cheese on a whole grain bagel.

Meats. Dice up toddler-safe sized chunks of low sodium ham. Store them in an airtight container in the freezer, and simply pour a portion as you need it into a sealable container to send in lunches. It will thaw safely by lunch time. Roll up meat and bologna slices with or without cheese in the middle. Send a roll or two to school in a baggy. Toss tuna with grated cheese and carrot for an inviting, colorful treat.

Fruits. send fresh whole fruit to be peeled or cut up by a teacher, if your child isn't old enough. Individual sealed cups of unsweetened applesauce are readily available in grocery stores, or prepare your own. Individual servings (packets or small boxes) of raisins and/or dried fruit make a welcome, nutritious shack. Cut up a variety of fresh fruits and send mixed fruit cups in sealable containers. These are also available in pre-pack cans in grocery stores, but many have added sugar, so read the labels carefully.

Breads. Try whole grain low-salt crackers, plain or spread with cheese or peanut butter. Most bagels, English muffins, and pita bread are now available in whole grain form. Send a whole grain muffin. Vary the type of grain in the bread often, if your child likes serveral kinds. Many toddlers prefer oatmeal bread.