eat a healthy lunch together

When choosing foods for lunch or snacks, it is important to pick foods that are healthy and nutritious. 

Use these tips to help guide your children to making the healthiest choices: 

• Involve your children in choosing their lunch and snack items. They’ll learn how to make healthy and balanced decisions. Plus, they are more likely to eat what they choose for themselves!
• Look at the school lunch menu together. Ask what a typical lunch includes and which meals they like. Recommend healthier items, but allow them to choose some of their favorites every once in a while.
• It is important for each meal and snack to be balanced with carbohydrates (whole grains, fruits, and vegetables) and protein (dairy, lean meats, beans, and nuts).
• Limit quick and easy snacks like cookies, chips, sodas, and sports drinks. These are the snacks that kids often crave when they get home from school, but are full of empty calories.
• Encourage your child to choose water or fat-free or 1% milk to quench their thirst.

Read more about healthy snacks for your family.