Love Those Lunchboxes!
Do your children carry lunches with them to school every day? If so, then good for you! You’re rising to the challenge of providing healthy, economical foods that hold your child’s interests. And that’s not easy to do, day-in, day-out.
So how about enlisting help from the ones who know the best choices? Ask your kids! But let’s qualify that one, of course. If you gave your kids no guidelines, chances are they’d fill their lunch boxes with chips, candy and soda.
To offer a bit of structure, make a chart, with words or pictures, depending on your child’s reading ability. Make 3 columns and instruct your child to create a menu (and shopping list) by selecting one item from each category. Category 1 can be the entrée: sandwich, tortilla rollup, cheese and crackers, supper leftovers or whatever else they enjoy. Category 2 can be a fruit and or vegetable: baby carrots, seedless grapes or maybe broccoli and dip. Category 3 can be the bonus extra, depending on your family’s preference: cookies, chips, muffin or other special item.
By following this plan, your child will take responsibility for his own lunchtime success. He’ll also learn the art of balancing meals, and might have some more input on the foods you serve at home!
Published 10/30/09
