It is your responsibility as a parent to see that your child receives the recommended daily intake of nutrients. Unfortunately, most days of the year you can only be there for breakfast and dinner. Most kids are in school for lunch. You can't constantly be present to keep an eye on their food intake.
Every school is required to serve your child’s lunch. However, these lunches are not free, nor are they always nutritious. Let's put making plans for a healthy child’s lunch at the top of the agenda for back-to-school time.
The Benefits of A Packed Lunch
Here are the benefits of a packed lunch:
- It is healthier.
Packing a child's lunch has many benefits. It's healthier, for one thing. When you pack a lunch, you can control what goes into it. You can choose healthy options like fruits and vegetables, whole-grain bread, and lean protein. You can also avoid unhealthy options like sugary drinks, processed snacks, and deep-fried foods.
- It is more affordable.
For many families, the cost of child care can be a major financial burden. In addition to paying for child care itself, parents often have to purchase costly food and supplies. One way to reduce child care expenses is to pack a lunch for your child instead of buying it at the child care center. By packing a lunch from home, you can control what your child eats and how much it costs.
- It can form healthy eating habits.
Packing a child's lunch is a great way to help them develop healthy eating habits. When you pack your kid’s lunch, you can choose healthy and nutritious foods that will help him/her grow and thrive. You can also avoid unhealthy snacks and drinks that can lead to childhood obesity and other health problems.
Moreover, packing a child's lunch gives you the opportunity to teach them about portion control and healthy food choices. By packing their own lunch, children will learn how to make healthier choices that will benefit them throughout their lives.
- It gives parents more control.
Another benefits of packing your child's lunch is that it gives you more control over what they eat. You can choose healthy and nutritious foods that will give your child the energy they need to get through the day. You can also control how much food they eat, which can be helpful if your child is trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
- It teaches kids responsibility.
A packed lunch is more than just a meal – it’s a lesson in responsibility. Packing their own lunch gives kids a chance to learn about portion control and healthy eating habits. It also teaches them to be independent and to take charge of their own food choices. And when they’re old enough to pack their own lunch, they’ll have the skills they need to make healthy, responsible choices for themselves.
How to Pack Your Child’s Lunch
- Create a simple formula
There are many different meal plans, but your child's lunch should reflect the culinary preferences of your family.
- Show your kids the preparation
To genuinely educate your children to prepare their own lunch, start with this—once or twice, demonstrate to them how you make their lunch, and then ask them to demonstrate to you several times how they pack it before they head off on their own.
- Get the perfect lunch box
Make sure your child's lunch box matches those expectations while keeping in mind your lunch formula and how much they really consume at lunch.
- Make a list of child’s lunch ideas
Post it in the cupboard or on the refrigerator. You may use a dry-erase board that you update after doing your weekly grocery shopping and meal planning, or you can use a printed list that you update periodically.
- Let go of perfectionism
As much as we want to keep our kids from being sad or hungry at lunch, we equally need to offer them the freedom to make mistakes and grow from them.
Get Your Child’s Lunch Ingredients at Fresco y Más
School lunches are a big part of a child’s day, so it’s important to make sure they’re healthy and delicious.
At Fresco y Más, we have all the ingredients you need to make your child’s lunchtime special. From our fresh produce to our wide selection of meats, we have everything you need to make a healthy and hearty meal. Plus, our prices are unbeatable. So next time you’re looking for lunchbox inspiration, be sure to stop by Fresco y Más at Lauderhill Mall. Your child will thank you for it!
