As childhood obesity and diabetes rates climb, it has become increasingly crucial for parents to provide healthy meals for their children and to exemplify good eating habits. One effective way to cultivate healthy habits is by ensuring kids take nutritious lunches to school. This article presents a list of foods that you should steer clear of when packing your child’s lunch. Among the 15 items, four are fairly obvious choices (candy bars, energy drinks, soda, and sports drinks), while the other 11 will have you scratching your head and saying, “Wait… What should I do instead?”
Here are some items to leave out of your kid’s lunchbox:
Fruit Snacks
Take a moment to read the ingredients on a box of fruit snacks. Chances are, the first item listed is fruit concentrate—not real fruit. Obviously. While I get that it’s not a piece of fruit, it’s not a Skittle either, so I’ll give them an “A” for effort.
Lunchables
These pre-packaged meals are often loaded with preservatives and lack nutritional value. They are packed with saturated fats and sodium, which isn’t ideal for a growing child.
Deli Meat Sandwiches
Many parents pack deli meat sandwiches without realizing the chemicals and preservatives lurking in that meat. Processed meats are often full of nitrates and added sodium. So, why not just roast a whole turkey weekly and slice it up? Easy, right?
Potato Chips
If kids get used to junk food during childhood, they’re likely to carry those habits into adulthood. I personally don’t include them in my child’s lunch—mainly to avoid judgment from other parents.
Drink Pouches and Juice Boxes
These beverages are essentially flavored, watered-down high fructose corn syrup. But hey, #teamjuicebox4life, right?
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Opt for peanut butter made purely from nuts and a touch of salt. Instead of jelly, try adding thinly sliced fruits like bananas or apples. Because surely, that’ll go over well with your picky 6-year-old.
Kid-Friendly Yogurts
Many yogurts are sneaky sources of hidden sugars, so it’s better to pack plain or lightly sweetened yogurt and let your kids mix in some fruit. We really can’t have anything fun, can we?
Granola Bars
Granola bars are often just disguised junk food. Why not make your own at home and modify the sugar content? Because that’s totally realistic, right?
When it comes to school lunches, it can feel like a no-win situation. We can try to follow these guidelines and pack raw homemade granola along with unsweetened yogurt and pray our kids will eat it. Or, we can choose the convenient options that many parents rely on without feeling guilty. Roast a turkey weekly? Homemade granola? Yeah, I’ll get right on that after I finish the laundry that’s been piling up.
If you’re looking for more informative content, check out our other articles on home insemination at this link. For a fantastic resource on pregnancy and home insemination, visit Womens Health. And if you want to explore the best artificial insemination kits, Make a Mom is an excellent authority on the subject.
In summary, packing a nutritious lunch for your child can be challenging, especially with so many items that should be avoided. It’s crucial to strike a balance between healthy choices and convenience, ensuring your child enjoys their meals without compromising their health.