Packing a Healthy Lunchbox For Your Kids
By Joseph Devine

Everyone remembers the mystery cafeteria food from elementary and middle school, the different colors of glop supposed to represent different food groups; green for vegetables, pink for deserts. Of course, cafeterias today are now serving pizza and cake, maybe a couple carrots. The alternative choice, for those trying to keep their slender shape by not eating all that, is the vending machine, filled with chips and candy, a child's dream meal. The money you give your kids for lunch, magically turns into snacks and junk, making them often struggle with their health and weight. This is why giving your child a packed lunch, one good enough to make your child eat it rather than trade it off, is so important.

Creating a delicious packed lunched is an art. There are three important parts of the packed meal:

• Main Course
  
• Side dish that is fun to eat
  
• Sweet Desert

These three elements are the formula to a perfect lunch for your child. Your child expects and wants these things; it is your job to them as healthy as possible, giving your child a leg up in their lives.

The main course is typically a sandwich. Sandwiches are as healthy as you make them, but they can get boring with the same old peanut butter and jelly blueprint. Use whole wheat bread for a change, use cheese and meat, and buy some low-fat mayonnaise. Instead of a sandwich why not pack a hard boiled egg for protein, some string cheese, and some rice cakes. By surprising your child, you can make their lunch an exciting part of their day that they look forward to.

Usually, chips make up the second aspect of lunch. Part of the reason kids like chips is because they are crunchy and fun to eat. However, you can compete with the fun and crunchy food by adding some of your own. Some good substitutes include baked chips, dried banana, strawberry, or apple chips, low calorie popcorn, pretzels, or carrots. Give your kid something to get their teeth into.

And last, the most delicious (in the eyes of most children) is the sweet desert that they have been waiting for and which will get them through the day. Some good alternatives to candy are low-fat puddings and yogurt, pineapple chunks, a couple mini-candy bars, or graham crackers.

If you would like more information on packing a health lunch for your child or would like more ways to prepare healthy meals for your family, visit [http://www.cdkitchen.com/]www.cdkitchen.com today!

Joseph Devine

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I remember when I was a kid, my mom used to pack lunches for me that sounded just like this! As an adult, I can't say I'm doing as well for myself... I need to start turning down that junk food!

I pack my (and my husband's) lunch every day for work. Usually I bring a sandwich, chips, and a cup of fruit (or a piece of fruit, depending on what we have at home). Occasionally, I'll pack an extra fruit and a bag of cheez-its or something in case I need a snack other than at lunchtime. Plus, I bring a thermos and keep it full of water all day. Occasionally I slip and have some coke-type product, but that's usually only when I allow $0.65 to stay in my wallet.

However, what I've noticed lately is that I haven't even been packing anything sweet (like candy or something), and even if I do, I usually put it in the outside pocket of my lunchbox, and I forget it's there and don't eat it!!

Reducing the sweet part out of your diet for lunch can help a lot! Good job on that! It sounds like you do a good job on packing lunches!