School lunch tips
Here are some expert views on how to pack a healthy and balanced lunch for your children
TO give you some ideas on how to make school lunches varied, interesting, and healthy, here are some expert tips on how to make a nutritious and tasty meal that children will want to eat.
KEEP IT BALANCED
Many experts and studies agree that children and teenagers need a balanced diet including all food groups for healthy growth and development, so make sure lunches are varied and nutritious.
Iron-rich leafy green vegetables such as spinach, which can be added into sandwiches, give a natural energy boost, while complex carbs such as sweet potatoes give slow-release energy to help sustain kids through classes.
Also add in plenty of fruits, especially berries, to help with concentration levels.
Previous research has also found that topping up levels of omega-3 with oily fish such as salmon can help boost brain functioning. Consider a hard-boiled egg for a nutritious snack. A study published last year found that they encourage healthy growth.
IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE DIFFERENT EVERYDAY
Although the meal itself needs to include a variety of foods and nutrients, kids don’t need a huge variety of lunches throughout the week.
According to Molly Paulson, clinical instructor at Georgia State University, children don’t need to eat something different each day. Lunch is often “comfort food” for children. They like the routine of knowing what they will have for lunch. It will also make meal preparations easier for parents.
MAKE LUNCH MORE INTERESTING
A study published earlier this year found that when a school canteen added flavour to vegetables with herbs and spices, teenagers were encouraged to eat more of them than when they were cooked with just oil and salt.
With this in mind, try some exciting food combinations.
Perhaps some carrot or cucumber sticks with hummus or a spicy tomato salsa for dipping. For kids who love peanut butter, add in some apple slices for them to eat with their peanut butter.
ADD A HEALTHY DRINK
US research published earlier this year found that when the packed lunches of preschoolers age three to five included plain milk, the meals had the highest average score on Healthy Eating Index, followed by lunches with 100 per cent fruit juice with no added sugar, and flavoured milk.
However, meals that contained a sugary fruit drink showed the lowest score, with the team concluding that simplest way to improve the nutrition quality of a pack lunch is to include a healthy beverage.
DON’T FORGET SNACKS
Sabina Valentine, a registered dietitian at the University of Alberta, Canada also suggests providing children with snacks to munch on throughout the day.
“They have small stomachs and high nutrient needs so they should have snacks throughout the day. It doesn’t have to be huge — just enough to keep them going,” she said.
She suggests a handful of grapes or a half-cup of yogurt for younger kids. For older kids, especially around exam time, provide grab-and-go “power snacks” such as a slice of cheese and a handful of almonds, soft pretzels and hummus, or popcorn mixed with nuts and dried fruit.
TREATS IN MODERATION
Valentine is also a fan of using the 80/20 rule — eating healthy 80 per cent of the time and indulging the other 20 per cent.
She says that it’s all right to treat kids occasionally by packing a less nutritious treat like a granola bar or a home-baked cookie, as long as it makes up no more than 20 per cent of the meal.
AFP Relaxnews