Transition Your Kitchen from Summer to Fall
Transition your Kitchen from Summer to Fall
Open your refrigerator and clear out old condiments. Check expiration dates on dressings and prepared foods. Revamp your grocery list to include "snack size" foods that are perfect for lunch boxes. Hearty granola bars, baby carrots with dip, single serve push-ups are good foods to keep on hand.
School lunches need to not only look good and taste good, but should provide about one-third of the calories and nutrients a child needs for the day.
meat or protein: 2-3 ozs
bread or grain: 1-2 slices or 1/2-3/4 cup
fruit and vegetable: at least 2 different choices
milk of dairy: 1 cup
Most children have trouble getting enough fruits and vegetables each day. Topping a sandwich with lettuce and tomato or grated carrots and sprouts adds one vegetable serving.
Add some fun to lunch. Use different breads for sandwiches: muffins, tortillas, mini bagels, pocket bread or whole grain crackers. It's OK to sneak in a little treat occasionally, like a chocolate kiss or hard candy.
Most importantly, pack foods so that they stay safe. Use cold pieces of fruit or a small frozen juice box to help keep lunch items cold. Small containers of yogurt can be frozen and will safely thaw in time for lunch. You can improve the keeping temperature of a thermos by filling it with hot or cold water a few minutes before packing foods or drinks. Buy one or two small ice packs and warm packs to keep foods safe that won't fit into a thermos.
Offering children appealing choices at lunchtime is just part of the back to school routine. Start each day with a nourishing breakfast. Even gifted students don't do well on an empty stomach. Studies show that children do better in school and on tests when they eat breakfast. And good eating doesn't end when the last school bell rings. Be sure to stock the cupboards with plenty of after-school snacks that are nutritious, good tasting, and fun to eat.
Need some fresh ideas for lunch? Try this Pillsbury website.
Open your refrigerator and clear out old condiments. Check expiration dates on dressings and prepared foods. Revamp your grocery list to include "snack size" foods that are perfect for lunch boxes. Hearty granola bars, baby carrots with dip, single serve push-ups are good foods to keep on hand.
School lunches need to not only look good and taste good, but should provide about one-third of the calories and nutrients a child needs for the day.
meat or protein: 2-3 ozs
bread or grain: 1-2 slices or 1/2-3/4 cup
fruit and vegetable: at least 2 different choices
milk of dairy: 1 cup
Most children have trouble getting enough fruits and vegetables each day. Topping a sandwich with lettuce and tomato or grated carrots and sprouts adds one vegetable serving.
Add some fun to lunch. Use different breads for sandwiches: muffins, tortillas, mini bagels, pocket bread or whole grain crackers. It's OK to sneak in a little treat occasionally, like a chocolate kiss or hard candy.
Most importantly, pack foods so that they stay safe. Use cold pieces of fruit or a small frozen juice box to help keep lunch items cold. Small containers of yogurt can be frozen and will safely thaw in time for lunch. You can improve the keeping temperature of a thermos by filling it with hot or cold water a few minutes before packing foods or drinks. Buy one or two small ice packs and warm packs to keep foods safe that won't fit into a thermos.
Offering children appealing choices at lunchtime is just part of the back to school routine. Start each day with a nourishing breakfast. Even gifted students don't do well on an empty stomach. Studies show that children do better in school and on tests when they eat breakfast. And good eating doesn't end when the last school bell rings. Be sure to stock the cupboards with plenty of after-school snacks that are nutritious, good tasting, and fun to eat.
Need some fresh ideas for lunch? Try this Pillsbury website.
