Yes, the choice is really a tough one. Nothing would be easier than letting them eat whatever it is the cafeteria offers every day. You know, those scrumptious meals that are more junk than nourishment like pizza, mac n' cheese, chicken nuggets and freeze dried hamburgers. The idea of scrambling through another school year can be daunting and coming up with every day ideas for school lunches can send any stable parent over the edge. Just the decision alone takes the sheer pleasure right out of that back-to-school excitement and maintaining it throughout an entire year. As parents, we want nothing more to provide our children with meals that they will excitedly anticipate and want to consume, provide nutritional value and hold up well in a locker and backpack without needing refrigeration. Here's some ideas to take the stress of what to offer away: For snacks Baked chips, air-popped popcorn, trail mix, veggies and a low-fat dip, Fruit in syrup or natural juices or fresh fruit, flavored gelatin with a small container of light fat-free cool whip, homemade baked goods such as oatmeal cookies or fruit muffins. Drinks should be either low fat milk, water or 100% fruit juice. Meal Ideas: Layered Salad Use a combination of what they like i.e. lettuce, sweet peppers, cucumbers, peas or chickpeas, chopped celery, cubed tomatoes, lean turkey, chicken or ham, boiled egg. Include a small container with a little vinaigrette or light dressing. Burrito Cook brown rice and mix with chopped black beans, chopped chicken or turkey and lettuce, cubed tomatoes placed in a whole wheat tortilla and top with grated cheese. Roll it up in foil and place some salsa in a small container to pour on when eating. DIY Fruit & Yogurt Parfait Empty a plain yogurt in a container, pack a baggie of granola, raisins or oatmeal, fruit in light syrup or fresh fruit they like to pour over their yogurt. Cold Pizza Pack a little shredded mozzarella cheese in a baggie, pizza sauce in a small container, a wheat tortilla, whole wheat pita, English muffin, or mini pizza shell. Healthy Munchies Celery sticks with peanut butter topped with raisins, whole-grain crackers filled with low-fat cream cheese or peanut butter and jelly Whole Wheat/Tomato Wraps Spread a light dressing or mayo on the wrap, add shredded lettuce, tomato and a choice of either tuna/chicken salad you make to your child's liking.
Article Source: http://www.bizymoms.com/expert-advice
Cynthia Helwig, author and creator of The Girlz Korner. "The world is a canvas to the imagination."