There is a pressing question that many parents ask at times ... what to do if my child eats at school? What if I am not able to prepare my child's lunches? Not to fret too much. Here are some tips:
- Each school usually provides a menu plan for at least the week to come; some even provide them for the full month in advance. Go over the menu with your child and help them make these choices before they go into the cafeteria famished and ready to eat everything there. On days where there may not be any healthy options, try to plan in advance to pack a sack lunch. Even better yet, have them help you prepare and pack it -- they are WAY more likely to eat it as well if they are involved in the preparation!
- Choose salads, vegetables, and wraps.
- Choose baked products over fried -- for example, baked potato or oven-baked fries instead of the usual deep-fried fries.
- Choose low-fat milk, cheese or yogurt.
- Watch the portion sizes -- if it looks big, it probably is. Maybe they can share with a friend.
- Vending machine options -- Some schools are actually offering fruit in some of their vending machines! Other good options are honey and oat granola bars, baked chips, pretzels, or trail mix. Watch out for high fat chips, candy bars, cookies, donuts, and the like (these are all higher in fat, sugar, and calories).
- Talk to your Parent Teacher Associations or school officials to see about making healthy changes and offering healthier options.
Picture by A. Fals, mtz - Del Monte
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