May 20, 2023
Easy school lunches for kids attending schools in Upper Darby, PA
For parents who send their children to school with food, there are certain things you should know to help them be safe.
Schools across America are beginning to reopen in phases, and some are opening in-person while others are going online-only. As states start to reopen, school lunches and snacks are becoming more important than ever, but parents need to know what to pack and where to send it to ensure their kids are eating properly.
Many kids spend hours in the car on their way to school each morning. While the drive may seem long, parents often worry about what their kids are eating during that time. It’s important to pack healthy lunches that your child can enjoy and won’t reject, but it’s also important that your child isn’t hungry when they arrive at school.
The following are some tips for packing school lunches that are sure to keep your kids happy and satisfied throughout the day.
1. Make it easy for your child to pack their own lunch.
When your child starts school, they should have the option of packing their own lunch every day. This can be as simple as giving them a bag full of items they like and helping them to prepare the food. They will be more likely to eat it if it’s something they prepared themselves.
Some of the most popular school lunches include sandwiches, fruit, and yogurt. Some of the items you can make ahead of time and freeze so that you don’t have to worry about packing the same thing every day.
2. Get your child involved in making their lunches.
When you give your child a choice of what they want to eat for lunch, it will be much easier to get them to eat healthy foods. It’s important to ask your child what they would like to eat, but try not to dictate what they eat. Instead, ask them what their favorite foods are and why they like them. If they don’t like carrots, don’t force them to eat them. Let them decide.
3. Send leftovers home.
It’s common for students to bring home leftovers from school. Most schools offer a daily snack program where your child can take home a box of food to eat on their days off. However, some schools will only allow them to bring home one meal, so you should definitely pack another one for your child to take home.
4. Don’t send unhealthy food.
Even if your child is bringing home leftovers from school, it’s still important to make sure they’re not eating anything that’s bad for them. If your child is having a hard time eating, try to pack them something they’ll actually enjoy.
5. Don’t send foods with too many calories.
Children are not little adults, so they don’t need to eat huge amounts of food each day. Pack a snack that includes protein, carbs, and fats and is about 200 calories. If you’re worried about how many calories your child is consuming, you can use MyFitnessPal to track your child’s meals.
6. Consider packing in reusable containers.
While plastic is great for keeping foods cold and fresh, it’s not a great option for transporting lunches to school. Many schools now offer reusable containers to hold your child’s lunch in.
7. Don’t send them too early.
While you may think that kids will eat more if they eat before they leave the house, it’s not always the case. It’s more important that your child eats their lunch once they arrive at school. They will get hungry faster than they did before, which can lead to less-than-ideal eating habits.
8. Be sure to provide your child with water.
It’s important to make sure your child is drinking plenty of water every day. This will keep them hydrated and help them avoid dehydration.
9. Make sure they are wearing their shoes.
In the summer, it’s common to see children wear sandals instead of shoes when they go outside. This can be dangerous for your child because it’s easy for them to slip and fall on the sidewalk. Make sure they are wearing proper shoes when they go outside.
10. Encourage them to take a walk.
Encouraging your child to take regular walks outside will help them stay active. This will also help them sleep better at night, and it’s a great way to relieve stress.
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