Back to School Lunches
According to Dr. Mark Hyman, “Schools have become hazardous health zones full of empty calories, junk food, and stripped-down physical education programs that are cultivating a nation of fatter, dumber, and more aggressive kids.” While that may be a bit harsh, I think we can all agree there is some truth to it. School kitchens contain deep fryers, microwaves, and displays for candy and junk food, how can children stay healthy or learn? When we watched the film, Fed Up, I was shocked that schools allow fast food to be served!
So what can you do as parents to raise smarter, fitter, and happier children? Here are two suggestions for improving the quality of nutrition your children are receiving.
Take Back Your Homes by eating at home together as a family and feeding your children a protein rich whole food breakfast.
Pack your child’s lunch.
Packing a Whole Foods Lunch
Packing a whole foods based lunch may be challenging if you have a picky eater, that was me growing up but I quickly grew out of that when I started to learn about nutrition and what was good for my body. Use packing lunches as an opportunity to educate your children on how the food they eat can affect how they feel and perform. Encourage your kids to be the ones to choose what goes into their lunches from whole food options that you give them. This way, the food you pack will actually stand a change of getting eaten. Don’t get caught up in the fact that lunches for you or your kids have to be fancy. Often times the simpler the better…ensure there is protein, vegetables, healthy fat, and fruit or a starchy carbohydrate.
Below are some suggestions of whole food and more optimal processed foods to pack.
Hard boiled eggs Chicken Sausages
Applegate or Thousand Hills Hot Dogs Leftover Crock-pot Chicken
Apple sprinkled w/cinnamon Dried fruit: mango, apricots, etc.
Raw or cooked veggies: carrots, celery, etc Banana or plantain chips
Ham or turkey roll-up Kerrygold cheese
Fruit: grapes, strawberries, clementine, etc. Dark choc. Chips or a square
Popcorn made with coconut oil Honest brand chips
Nut thin crackers Lara or Kind bars
Paleo muffins or breakfast cookies Paleo Kits
No sugar added applesauce Leftover beef or pork roast
Applegate pepperoni or salami Leftover meatballs
Medjool dates Maple Hill creamery yogurt
Homemade tuna salad Soups, chili
Clif Kid Organic Fruit Rope YumEarth Organics fruit snacks
Stretch Island Fruit Co. fruit strips That’s It bars
Homemade grain free granola Homemade trail mix
Justin’s Nut Butter packets Coconut butter packets
Chocolate covered almonds
Lunch Box Options
LunchBots is a wonderful stainless steel option for packing lunches.
They have a variety of sizes as well as thermal options to keep soups or chilis warm.
Opting for a stainless steel lunch box is important for a variety of reasons:
Recent studies have shown a correlation between chemicals found in plastics (BPA&phthalates) and short & long-term health concerns.
Only food grade stainless steel comes in contact with your food. No toxins.
Refill your LunchBots over and over, save money and add zero waste to landfills.
Your child has the coolest lunch box☺
Find LunchBots here: www.lunchbots.com
Chris Gray
Owner
Breakthrough Personal Coaching & Wellness
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