How healthy is your child's school lunch?
A healthy lunch is an important part of any child’s day, but too many lunchboxes are filled primarily with sugary treats. In this video, learn how to pack a nutritionally sound lunch with help from Kevin Soden, MD.
Transcript
Skip those pre-made lunch packs. They're often filled with high-fat, high-sodium cold cuts
and cheese with crackers made from refined flour. [MUSIC PLAYING]
Is the school lunch you pack for your child as healthy as it could be? What's in kids' lunch boxes often
falls short of National School Lunch Program standards, according to a recent study. Almost a quarter of packed lunches
include sugar-sweetened beverages. And 28% include dessert. Yet just 34% have fruit, and a mere 11% include vegetables.
So what should go into your child's lunchbox? Try these tips for a satisfying, healthy meal.
Choose a lean source of protein such as grilled chicken, a hard boiled egg, or hummus. Include some whole grains.
That can be in the form of whole grain bread for a sandwich or cooked grains, such as quinoa and a salad. Veggies-- sandwiches are a great way to include more vegetables.
Load them up with lettuce and tomatoes, or pack some cut up carrots and light ranch dressing.
Don't forget to include a piece of fruit. And for a beverage, water is just fine. Finally, skip those pre-made lunch packs.
They're often filled with high-fat, high-sodium cold cuts, and cheese with crackers made from refined flour.
I'm Dr. Soden. Watch all our smart tips for more ways to nourish your family's health.
diet nutrition
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