Who knew that most packed lunches aren’t as healthy as what is offered at school? Studies show this may be the case. While busy parents quickly turn for the prepackaged cracker sandwiches, juice boxes, and sweet treats, schools have been working in the opposite direction. Now offering whole grains, more fresh fruits and vegetables, and healthier milk choices, there’s no doubt your child can grab a healthy lunch from the school cafeteria. The great news–it’s more convenient and cheaper than packing your own! Here are some important reminders about school lunch:
- A variety of fruits and veggies are offered every day. Is your child eating them? Ask about what’s offered and what they choose to eat. And lead by example. If children aren’t offered fruits and veggies at home, they will be less likely to eat them at school.
- Milk has been a requirement of school lunches for years. The tasty beverage has stood the test of time because it’s packed with many nutrients your child needs. Today, schools only offer fat-free or 1% plain milk, as well as fat-free flavored milk. At an average of only 40 extra calories, fat-free flavored milk contains the same nine essential nutrients as white milk. Whether white or flavored , milk plays a vital role within the school meal in helping children meet needs for critical nutrients of concern as identified in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines.
- Chips, juice, and ice cream are often available to kids for purchase with their lunch. While these treats may look tempting, encouraging your child to fill up on the healthy options already served with lunch and to save their money for something more fun (a family vacation, a new soccer ball, a ticket to a movie!) can be twice as nice. Don’t assume your child knows to avoid these temptations in the lunch line. Be proactive and have conversations about these ‘sometimes food’ and why the ‘everyday foods’ offered with lunch are much more likely to help them grow strong, run fast, and be healthy.
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Guest blog by Angie Hasemann, RD, CSP
Angie Hasemann, RD, CSP is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Specialist in Pediatrics who has spent the past five years teaching over 2000 kids the importance of healthy eating. She works with children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers, at the University of Virginia’s Children’s Fitness Clinic, an out-patient clinic specializing in pediatric obesity treatment. Angie is well-known for translating the complicated science of nutrition into easy-to-use and understandable information. She currently serves as Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics President. This blog is the last in a 3 part series on back to school nutrition.
