Pack Nutrition in School Lunchboxes

With kids heading back to school, many parents are looking for healthier lunch options. A Duke dietitian offers some tips for planning and preparing school lunches that are not only healthier for kids but appetizing, as well.

Thursday, August 25, 2005

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Durham, N.C. -- Here are some tips to help you pack more nutrition into your child’s school lunchbox. Marilyn Sparling, a dietitian-clinician at Duke University Medical Center, says one key is to involve kids in the planning. “First of all, I’d sit down with my child and say, ‘Let’s think a little bit about what you might like in your lunch.’ If you involve them and use some of their choices, they’re more likely to eat it.” It’s also a good strategy to talk to other parents. “See if some of the other parents are interested in nutritious choices. If you’re all on the same wavelength, then your child won’t feel so different.” Healthy options might include mini-carrots with low-fat dip, fresh or dried fruit, low-fat cheese and whole-grain crackers, and low-fat milk or 100 percent fruit juice. Stay away from pre-packaged, prepared lunch kits, which are high in fat. “You don’t have to count fat grams, you don’t have to count calories, you don’t have to be obsessive about it. You just try to watch portions and pick more healthy things, allowing for some foods that aren’t as healthy.” I’m Cabell Smith for MedMinute.