5 Ways to Help Your Children Eat Their School Lunch
- Updated on 30 Jul 2021
- Health and Nutrition
- orchidadmin
- 4 mins read
Topic Index
Introduction
Parents, have you noticed your child’s school lunch break routine has changed? Instead of the good lunch they used to bring to school, now you are hearing about what your child got on their own. And it’s not usually good news: Lunch is often forgotten!
In the past decade, there has been an enormous change in how kids eat lunch. Kids are eating their school lunch and bringing home leftovers nearly every day. Nowadays, kids’ school lunches typically consist of unhealthy foods like cookies and chips because they’re easy to pack or foods that require little preparation, like pre-made sandwiches, instead of healthy food for kids. Most kids throw away their fruits and vegetables because they don’t like them or they are left out of the lunch box. If we want our children to eat healthier, we have to make sure that healthy choices are available, as nutrition for kids is fundamental and cannot be ignored. Here are five ways you can help your children eat healthy food for kids.
5 Ways to Help Children Eat Their School Lunch
1. Pack the Lunch Yourself
If you want your children to eat their school lunches, the most important thing to do is pack them yourself. If you pack their lunch, you know exactly what’s going into it and therefore can decide which foods are healthier than others. By doing this every day, your child will get used to eating healthy food for kids.
2. Pack Things They Like
If you pack foods your children don’t really like, they most likely won’t eat them. If you want to have a successful school lunch, make sure it consists of things they will enjoy eating.
3. Pack Nutritious and Healthy Food for Kids
If you only include sugary snacks or candies in your child’s lunch box, chances are they aren’t going to eat it. Decide what you’d like your child to eat and then pack foods that include these ingredients.
4. Avoid Processed Foods
Processed foods like corn syrup and other chemicals found in many modern-day snacks aren’t suitable for your body or mental health. If there are any foods you think are unsuitable for your child, try to avoid packing them in their lunch box.
5. Prepare the Night Before
If you plan on packing healthy food for the kids the night before, make sure it is something quick and easy to eat. For example, a container of yoghurt with granola will always go down well. Alternatively, consider packing a homemade pizza crust and adding your child’s favourite toppings.
BONUS
6. Make Sure to Allow for Leftovers
If you pack too much food, they will end up with leftovers, and your child may not be able to finish it all. If they have something from the previous day, try making a new lunch that includes what they haven’t eaten yet. This way, the food is still fresh, and they are still getting packed lunch.
Why Is School Lunch Essential for Kids Every Day?
The importance of lunch for kids is significant as it is for their health. Kids must eat healthy and nutritious food to grow. It is proven that eating tasty and healthy food for kids helps the child better learn when they are in school.
● Lunch is the only meal you get at school and which your child can have after a tiring day of study.
● Lunch provides energy to the kids throughout the day and helps them concentrate better on their studies.
● Not only this, but lunch also helps in maintaining a good relationship between you and your child.
● When you send lunch to school for your kid, it shows love and cares towards them.
● Free school lunch – let your kids enjoy their lunch without spending a single penny.
● Schools provide nutritious and delicious lunches for your child, but these meals are costly.
Benefits of Proper Healthy Food for Kids
● Healthy and more muscular immune system
● Stronger bones
● Better oral health status with fewer cavities and teeth-related problems
● Good skin and hair
● Weight management with better body coordination
● Better digestion and absorption of numerous vitamins and minerals by the body
● Overall enhancement of health
● Happier kids with more energy to perform better at school
● Superior quality of life when they have grown into adults
● No heavy metal poisoning
● Save money on a doctor visit and medications
Disadvantages of a Poor Diet for Kids
● Mood swings
● Irritability-related problems among children who do not eat well. ● Anaemia
● Weak bones
● Malnutrition
● Severe hunger
● Poor concentration and learning
● Worsen of behaviour among children who do not eat their school lunch
● Extreme discomfort when they grow into adults.
● Picky eating at home (more money spent on food preparation)
● Less physical strength than other children
● High risk of health problems when they grow into adulthood
● Whiter teeth will turn yellowish as a result of poor nutrition
● Attraction to sweets, fast food, junk foods and snacks. These foods are high in fat content, sugar, and salt. These unhealthy diets are the leading cause of obesity among school-aged children.
Conclusion
A healthy diet is a basic need for children. A healthy diet should consist of foods such as vegetables and fruits, which are full of nutrients essential to the growth and development of muscles and body cells in children. With these five tips, you should be able to help your kids eat their school lunch with ease. Your child will thank you for being a supportive parent and helping them get the nutrition and food they need from mealtime!
Parents can also use these ideas at home or on the go when it’s just not possible to pack a healthy lunchbox every day. A little bit of effort goes a long way in ensuring that your child eats well during the day and doesn’t go hungry because they’ve been too busy playing or doing something fun! Which one are you going to start using first? Please share your thoughts or apprehensions with us!