Nutrition is particularly important for young children which is why parents need the best ideas for a healthy school lunch. The meals they eat are a vital part of their growth and development. If your families have older children who take a lunch to school or have meals served in their program, as providers you should ask them these questions:
- Are the lunches meeting the nutritional needs of the children?
- Are the children eating the lunches packed for them?
- Are the meals that the older children are receiving at school nutritious and do they offer a variety of choices?
If these are some of the questions that your families have been concerned about, share these sample lunch ideas to enhance children’s lunches and meet their nutritional needs.
- Pack carrot and zucchini sticks, broccoli “trees,” celery “boats” and pepper rings or sticks that are soft cooked (to prevent choking in children under 4 years of age).
- Pack sprouts, tomato slices and lettuce mixed with red cabbage, spinach and jicama slices to add variety to your child’s lunches.
- Supply good sources of fiber and vitamins A and C such as apples (unpeeled), oranges, kiwi and pineapple slices, berries, bananas and unsweetened 100 percent juices (not a fruit drink).
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