As adults we know how distracting it can be when we’re hungry, especially around lunch, on those days when we had breakfast, and even more so on the days we didn’t.
Imagine what it’s like for our children. And while the importance of breakfast cannot be overstated, lunch is equally important.
More than other meals, children have a lot of control over what they eat for lunch at school. They can choose to eat the green beans or throw them out. A child also can choose to eat an apple instead of an ice cream sandwich.
When choosing what to eat for lunch, making a healthy choice is really important. This is where adults can exert their influence. Eating a variety of healthy foods gives you energy, helps you grow and helps keep you healthy.
We can think of lunch or any meal as our fuel. The wrong kind of fuel might cause you to run out of energy before the day is over. So what is the right kind of fuel? What does a healthy lunch look like?
Many children have the choice of packing lunch or buying one at school. The good news is that a child can get a healthy lunch by doing either one. Chances are, some meals and foods served in the school cafeteria are healthier than others. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy your lunch, it just means you might want to give the cafeteria menu a closer look. Read the cafeteria menu the night before. Knowing what’s for lunch beforehand will let you know if you want to eat it. Bring home a copy of the menu or figure out how to find it on the school web site.
Involve children in the decision-making process
A packed lunch isn’t automatically healthier than one you buy at school. If you pack chocolate cake and potato chips, that’s not a nutritious meal. But a packed lunch, if you do it right, does have a clear advantage. When you pack your lunch, you can be sure it includes your favorite healthy foods – items you know you like. It’s not a one-size-fits-all lunch. It’s a lunch just for you. If your favorite sandwich is peanut butter and banana, just make it and pack it – then you can eat it for lunch. Or maybe you love olives. Go ahead and pack them!
Adults and their children can also shop together, making healthy choices that can be used to pack in lunches, for after-school snacks and other meals too. Choosing healthy foods at the store means healthier meals. This is good for adults in the family, too.
If you’d like more nutrition information, call the Marion County Public Health Department at (317) 221-7401.
