Back to School - Packing A Healthy Lunch

by - 8/20/2009

PhotobucketWith Back-to-School right around the corner, Mike Naples, the CEO of Zone Delivery USA, a leading diet delivery service based on the 40/30/30 radio of carbohydrates, proteins and favorable fats, has compiled some helpful tips for parents on building the best brown bag lunch – starting with tossing the brown bag!

Step 1: Forget the brown bag

It’s better for the environment. Plus, lunch boxes are sturdier, and insulated lunch bags are the best way to keep food fresh throughout the day. Convince the older kids with retro lunch boxes that will go perfectly with their Wayfarers and Rolling Stones T-shirts.

Step 2: Pick Your Protein

Sandwiches can be an excellent source of protein. Branch out from the Ham and Cheese and PB&J’s to give the kids something to look forward to. Try substituting cashew or almond butter for a healthy variety, or using leftover chicken or roast beef with light mayo, mustard, lettuce, and a slice of cheese. Also, we all know that substituting wraps for carb-laden slices of bread is a great way to cut back, so introduce this to the kids while they still have an attraction to “tube-shaped” food.

Step 3: Substitute Sides

Most kids think their lunch is incomplete without a bag of chips, but the salty processed snack food won’t help them get through the day with enough energy left for soccer practice. Try some healthy alternatives like sending a salad in a small container, packing string cheese with whole grain crackers, making a fruit salad, including dried fruit and nuts, or sending crunchy carrots with a small container of veggie dip.

Step 4: Skip the Soda

Many parents pack the lunch and leave a dollar or two or their kids to get a drink in the cafeteria. According to the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) drinking too much soda, flavored drinks, or even juice can contribute to cavities, childhood obesity, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. Try freezing a small bottle of water and including it instead – most children don’t drink enough water, and the frozen bottle will help keep the rest of the lunch cold until midday.

Step 5: Sweet Stuff

You know they’ll be angry if they get through digging and don’t find a dessert. Pay close attention to portion size and think about subbing trail mix, dried fruit, granola bars, Jell-O, or low-fat pudding for that pre-packaged row of Oreos.

Step 6: Snack Attack

Growing kids seem to be hungry all the time, so why do we think that one meal at noon is enough to keep them going through all their after-school activities? Pack snacks like granola bars, crackers and peanut butter, trail mix or “Ants on a Log” for the 3PM energy drop.

About : Zone Delivery USA (www.zonedeliveryusa.com) is a leading meal delivery service provider based on balanced meals using a ratio of 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein and 30% favorable fats.

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