FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 • HEALTH • THE QUEENS COURIER 57
health
7 healthy, kid-approved lunchbox ideas
Kids’ school days are packed with
learning, laughing and lots of fun. To
get the most out their time in class,
it’s important their bodies and minds
are properly fueled. Packing a healthy
lunch is on of the easiest ways parents
can support their child’s education
during the day while they can’t be there.
Healthy foods keep distracting hunger
pangs at bay while providing important
nutrients to support focus and learning.
Many traditional healthy foods aren’t
necessarily kid-friendly, which leaves
moms and dads wondering how to pack
a wholesome lunch that will actually
get eaten. Fortunately, a little creative
thinking and a few simple lunchbox
tricks can help you create tasty meals
that will fuel your kids throughout the
school day. Consider these seven smart
ideas and be inspired to create your own
kid-approved combinations.
Th ink outside the loaf: Sandwiches are
a lunchbox staple, but that doesn’t mean
you’re limited to two pieces of bread. To
add variety and boost nutrient intake,
incorporate fun variations. For example,
use whole-grain tortillas to create
wraps, or, go one step further and cut
up the rolls for bite-size “sushi” that
makes it fun for lunching. Another idea:
use whole-wheat waffl es as the sandwich
ends and fi ll with peanut butter
and banana or cream cheese and apples.
Colorful creations: Ever notice how
everything associated with kids has tons
of color? Children are attracted to vivid
hues and you can use this to your
advantage when you pack lunches. Put a
rainbow in every lunch by packing colorful
produce such as green cucumber,
cherry tomatoes, purple plums, orange
carrots and yellow peppers. You’ll keep
things visually stimulating and the various
colors of fresh foods mean they are
getting a variety of vitamins and minerals.
Fantastic freeze-dried fruit: Fresh
fruit isn’t always an option and that’s
when delicious Crispy Fruit freezedried
snacks from Crispy Green can
save the day. Th e perfect complement
to any healthy lunch or the ideal lightweight
portable snack, Crispy Fruit
comes in many single-serving varieties
to keep lunchboxes interesting, including
banana, apple, pineapple and pear.
You can feel good about giving
your kids a snack that
is 100 percent fruit, non-
GMO and allergen-free with
no additives or sugar added.
Breakfast for lunch: Is
it backwards day? No, but
you can get a little crazy
by shaking things up when
you pack breakfast foods for
lunch. Kids will grin with
joy as they open their pack
to see their favorite whole
grain cereal with a side of
milk, or muffi ns with secret
healthy ingredients like fruit
or shredded veggies. You
might even consider your
child’s favorite breakfast
sandwich or a yogurt parfait
as a wholesome lunch
option.
Slurp up soup: Cold lunch
doesn’t necessarily need
to be cold. Get a reusable
insulated container and get
ready to delight those kid’s
taste buds with vitamin-rich
soup. Whether you choose a
hearty alphabet soup bought
from the store or decide
to make a batch at home, look for
options packed with diff erent vegetables
and limited salt. Simply heat up in
the morning and it will be ready and
waiting come lunch time. Warm soup
satisfi es the stomach while warming
the heart.
Dip and munch: If you have a hesitant
kid who is known to snub their nose at
fruits and veggies, consider making eating
more fun by packing a side of dip.
Children adore the act of dipping and
it makes eating a fun, interactive activity.
A little yogurt will encourage kids
to gobble up fruits like orange wedges,
apple slices or halved strawberries. Lowfat
salad dressing or hummus is the perfect
pairing for veggie straws including
carrots, celery or sweet peppers.
Protein pick-me-up: Protein helps
kids feel fuller for longer, getting them
through those lengthy school days. It’s
important to pack a protein source
in lunch, but meats aren’t your only
option. Eggs are high in protein, so try
hard-boiled or scrambled and pack in an
insulated container. Other kid-friendly
foods high in protein include cottage
cheese, Greek yogurt, beans and many
nuts or nut butters.
You are what you eat, so it’s important
to choose your children’s foods
wisely. For more tips about packing
wholesome lunches and living a healthy
family lifestyle, visit www.produceforkids.
com/poweryourlunchbox or smartlifebites.
com.
Courtesy BPT
/poweryourlunchbox
/poweryourlunchbox
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