Dreading the lunch assembly routine?  Fear not.  Involve your children and lighten your “to do” list. Create a list of foods on which you can mutually agree. Have them put their lunch items away:  juice/milk boxes, yogurt tubes or containers, cheese sticks, crackers.  When it’s lunch packing time, they know right where to find what they need!

A few menu ideas:

These include all five-food groups:

Turkey & cheese sandwich on whole grain bread (grain, meat, dairy groups)

Celery sticks or pepper strips (vegetable group)

100% orange juice (fruit group)

Peanut butter on graham crackers (grain, meat groups)

Pineapple tidbits in 100% juice (fruit group)

Baby carrots (vegetable group)

Milk   (dairy group)

Or water and a yogurt tube or cup

Bean and cheese burrito (grain, meat, dairy groups)

Cucumber circles (vegetable group)

Sliced strawberries or canned fruit in 100% juice (fruit group)

Water

Don’t forget to keep cold items cold, and hot food hot.  Here’s to a stress-free and healthy lunch.

For more information on getting your child involved, and additional menu ideas, see the school district web site: www.eagleschools.net

Sources:  University of Illinois Extension, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Science, Food for Thought.

University of California, Cooperative Extension, San Luis Obispo County, First 5.  ANR Publication 8107, 2003.

Brought to you by the Eagle County School District Wellness Policy Committee.