School lunches can make or break your child’s overall performance in the classroom and any after school activities that they participate in. A school lunch that is loaded with processed ingredients and sugar will leave your child with a spike in blood sugars providing a quick burst of energy followed by a drop in blood sugars making them want to sleep in class and they will have minimal energy at after school activities.
The key to a perfect school lunch is balance and it also has to appeal to your child. Children truly eat with their eyes and if it does not look good then they probably will not eat it. I pack my kids lunches in bento boxes and compartmentalize with cupcake silicone reusable “cups”. For my kindergartener who loves to pick, I pack finger foods like grapes, carrot sticks, cheese squares, trail mix, hummus and/or a sandwich in her bento box, and it is like a mini appetizer plate or a protein box that is sold at coffee shops.
Bento Boxes have become so popular. They are easy to pack, the food does not touch and it is a simple way to hit all of the food groups. Click HERE for more Bento Box ideas. Adults can also pack their lunch this way, especially for those eating at their desk, in the car between calls or in car pool.
Get them involved with the planning process. Have them decide what kind of protein they would like, examples include, nitrate free lunch meat, boiled eggs, Greek yogurt, tuna/chicken salad, etc. Then have them choose their favorite fruits, veggies, healthy fats like hummus, guacamole, nuts, trail mix, etc. If your child is actually involved with the planning process they will feel like they “own” the lunch and will be less likely to throw away things that they do not want. Teachers and cafeteria staff report that fruits and vegetables end up in the trash in most school cafeterias.
When you are packing the lunch, keep balance in mind, and make sure to include protein, vegetables, fruits and healthy fats. Limit processed grains and empty calories like cookies, crackers, and juice. If they like dessert then pack a piece of dark chocolate. Removing items that are high in sugar like juice and cookies will increase their ability to focus in classes after their lunch period. It has been reported that over 12 million American children are medicated for Attention Deficient Disorder (ADD). Sugar and excessive carbohydrates magnifies symptoms of ADD in children, healthy fats like nuts, and oils helps reduce symptoms of ADD.
Always pack water over juice, all humans should aim to drink at least half their body weight in ounces of water per day, even more for those who are active. It amazes me that student athletes will not drink any water at school all day long and then practice out in the sun sweating after school for 2 or more hours. A dehydrated athlete will have a hard time focusing and more importantly could pass out from heat stroke or suffer from other dehydration symptoms. Packing a large water bottle is the best thing you could send with your child EVERYDAY.
Lastly make sure you keep the lunch at a safe temperature, this is often overlooked. Always pack the lunch in an insulated lunch bag or box with 1-2 ice packs depending on how big the lunch is. My football player would always have 1-3 sandwiches, a protein shake, fruits, veggies, etc. he needed 2 ice packs to keep his lunch at a safe temperature. Sometimes kids have 4 or more hours before lunch time, and they store their lunch in a locker that is outside in the heat. If perishable items reach a dangerous temperature they will be exposed to harmful bacteria and could get your child sick.
As a parent one of the simple things we can do to keep our child healthy is nourish them with fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, proteins and optimal hydration. Developing a healthy nutrition routine will carry over into their adult life decreasing their risk for developing chronic diseases that are related to weight gain such as Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and thyroid complications.