It’s time to start thinking outside the brown bag, according to Island Health.
As children and teens head back to class they will need more than just books and pens to have a successful year, they will also need healthy, nutritious and interesting snacks and lunches.
Parents and guardians should be sending children to school with a water bottle for hydration along with healthy snacks and a well-balanced lunch to feed their kids’ active brains and bodies.
“Colour is the most visible indicator that your child’s lunch will successfully support learning,” says Areli Hermanson, Island Health dietitian. “Green and orange vegetables, blue and red fruit, we can tell by just by looking at them that they are packed with vitamins and nutrients.”
Hermanson adds, “Don’t underestimate the value of a great snack! Snacks can keep younger children from being cranky between meals. For teens and picky eaters of all ages, snacks may be the only guarantee your kids are getting any nutrients while they’re away from home.”
Power Lunches:
- Pack protein: meat & alternatives (i.e. chicken, eggs and lentils)
- Choose single-serving lower-fat milk, plain yogurt and cheese (not processed)
- Warm-up leftovers that your kids love and make sure they stay warm in an insulated thermos
- Send home-made soup with a whole grain breadstick or a bun
Super snacks:
- Fresh fruit
- Crunchy vegetables (send along salad dressing if it makes the veggies more appealing)
- Granola bars (preferably homemade but store-bought can be healthy too)
- Nuts in classrooms where there are no allergies. *Spreads like Wow Butter are excellent substitutes for peanut butter