Released September 8, 2008
STILLWATER, Okla. – Although students have been attending classes for just a few weeks, many parents may already be dreading the thought of packing yet another school lunch.
Nearly three-fourths of brown bag school lunches consist of a sandwich, usually peanut butter and jelly. Just over half of all lunches include a piece of fruit, most commonly an apple, and a fruit drink.
It is no wonder that parents fall into a rut when it comes to packing a school lunch, said Janice Hermann, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service nutrition education specialist.
“It’s understandable that school lunches can fall into a not-so-exciting pattern, but it doesn’t have to be a challenge to find a menu that is easy to prepare, portable and appealing to children,” Hermann said. “It’s so important for children to eat smart at school, especially considering the growing number of children who are either overweight or at risk of becoming so.”
When it comes to packing a lunch, try to think outside of the lunchbox. If your child loves sandwiches, consider something besides bread to hold it together, such as whole-grain rolls, bagels, whole-wheat crackers or whole-wheat pita bread.
Some parents find it difficult to get their children to eat vegetables. One option is to cut up carrot and celery sticks, red or green pepper strips or a few broccoli spear “trees” and offer them with a small container of low fat dip. Children may get more excited about vegetables after a trip to the local farmers market where they can pick out something new to try.
“Most children enjoy fruit because it’s sweet. They’re more likely to eat it if it’s bite-sized, such as cherries, grapes, berries or melon balls,” she said.
In an effort to get children more involved in their own nutrition, have them help pack their lunch each day. Also, take your children grocery shopping and let them pick out health foods to include in their lunch boxes.
A sweet but healthy treat children are sure to enjoy is quick and easy to make. Fill a small plastic container with vanilla yogurt and frozen blueberries or strawberries. Pop the container in the freezer the night before. The next morning put the frozen container in your child’s lunchbox. By noon it’s still nice and cold and a sweet treat for lunch. In order to save time, make a week’s worth on Sunday evening so you are prepared for the entire week.
“It’s important for parents to find the right balance of healthy and fun foods that will ensure their children are getting a healthy meal during the school day,” Hermann said.
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http://www2.dasnr.okstate.edu/Members/trisha.gedon-40okstate.edu/pack-a-punch-with-brown-bag-lunch
Contact: Trisha Gedon, 405-744-3625, trisha.gedon@okstate.edu
