The first bell has rung and the children are back in school. This always puts a focus on what to pack for lunch or what to let our children buy for lunch. A good place to begin this discussion is to look at the USDA guidelines and how they have changed:
- Half of all the grain items served this year will be whole grain.
- Increase the amount of fruits and vegetables being offered. Students must take at least ½ cup of fruit or vegetable each day.
- The milk choices will be fat-free, skim or 1 percent.
- Decreasing the number of desserts offered to allow for an increase in higher nutrient foods.
These are guidelines, and some of the school lunch offerings will be healthier than others. It is good that they are offering fruit and veggies with each meal, many of them fresh. When choosing from the hot lunch menu, try to steer clear of fried or breaded items and go for wraps, sandwiches or pastas that have veggies with them.
By packing our own fruits and veggies, we are not limited to what is available in prepackaged portions. Include a small container of dip or drizzle the dip right onto the veggies when packing the lunch.
Involve the children in lunch planning and packing. Encourage them to include one veggie and one fruit choice each day. Be creative here, including leftovers, wraps and “roll-ups” using whole grain tortillas, and even hot items in an insulated container.
Working together with the school lunch menu and your family’s own ideas can create a fun, healthy and happy lunch experience for every family. May this school year be the best yet!
