I recently read that some idiotic city had passed a regulation that parents could no longer pack their kids lunches because they weren’t nutritious enough. What a ghastly invasion of Big Government into the lives of parents who should be making decisions for their kids’ lives! I’d be storming the barricades with my pitchfork if that applied to my family. Our guest author today has ideas about how to make those lunches even more desirable and I learned about bento boxes by reading this article. They’re charming ways to keep food at the proper temperature and make them even more splendid.
Lunchtime for most kids is like a brief dose of paradise during a taxing day at school. Making the meal interesting is a unique challenge many mothers face daily. Believe it or not, even the most die-hard PB&J devotee may become bored after eating it non-stop for roughly 200 days out of the year. Adding a little zap to the sack will help keep your kid happy during lunch period.
Food Choices
Food that doesn’t live up to the standards of the children will likely end up being traded away to their best friends. Picking the right food for your kids will both help them stay both happy and healthy at school. Do a little research and find out what your children like and how much of it they are willing to eat.
Be sure to help your kid eat a healthy balance. Try to include fruit or vegetables in every lunch. If you treat healthy foods like treats, your kids will be more likely to eat them. For example, “If you finish your spaghetti, I’ll let you have a banana,” is a good way to help your kids associate fruit with a treat. If your kid simply isn’t a veggie-fan, you might try sneaking some lettuce or tomatoes into his or her sandwich.
And don’t stop at fruit: whole wheat products are a healthier alternative to white bread. The old maxim, “the whiter your bread, the sooner you’re dead”, is just as true today as it was when your mother first quoted it to you. Adding a sugary snack on the side isn’t a bad idea, but if you’re looking to make lunch a bit healthier, try giving your kids pretzels or frozen fruit. It may not be as tasty as Granny B’s sugar cookies, but it is many times more healthy.
Keeping food cool during before lunch is tricky. Although you can do it with ice, try packing frozen yogurt or a frozen beverage. If you’re going to pack juice, freeze a third of it the night before and then pour the rest in the morning before class.
The Presentation
Though picking the right food in the first place is vital, presentation of that food is essential. Like it or not, many children do judge books by their cover. While a “Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too!” lunchbox might work great for a kindergarten student, your high school freshman might feel a little embarrassed to still be lugging that thing around ten years later. Several sources recommend Japanese-style bento boxes. Bento boxes are compartmentalized lunchboxes that help divide food out into several bite-sized portions. They aren’t as large or bulky as normal lunchboxes and come in several different styles. The compartments help you to add in a variety of different types of food. They usually cost between $5 and $20, depending on the type and brand you choose.
If you’re looking to make lunch time a little more interesting, try sneaking some variety into your child’s lunch sack. This will not only show your child how much you love them, but might make that looming math test seem a little more doable. For example, remember holidays. St. Patrick’s day would be an excellent excuse to pack a green lunch — just in case your daughter forgot to wear green. April Fool’s Day offers endless opportunities for food fun. For example, you might try giving your son a “mixed up” lunch. You could make a potato chip sandwich and provide peanuts and grapes on the side in baggies. Birthdays are another good chance to pack a special surprise.
Pack Love
Even though you might think your love for your kids is obvious, doing the little things will remind them. If you pack love into your child’s lunchtime, he or see will feel it.
About the Author: Derek Gurr is a writer for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers helps people determine if an online education is right for them and helps them understand which online courses and online schools they can choose from to reach their goals.
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