September 26, 2005 Hello! "A survey of 2,000
households done by the NPD Group in Port Washington, N.Y., found: It's no wonder school lunches
fall into a rut; parents are busy and kids are finicky, so they
just keep bagging the same old stuff. And yet it's more important
than ever that kids eat smart at school, considering an explosion
of obesity and the fact that kids can be under a lot of stress.
About 20% to 30% of children are either overweight or at risk of
becoming so. ... Some children have little time to eat lunch at
school, she says, so the meal needs to contain nutrient-rich foods
including dairy, whole grains, fruits and vegetables...." An "ideal" meal is going to be different for different people, but some generalizations can apply. "The ideal school
lunch contains sandwiches, rolls or pita bread with a healthy filling,
plus fruit. So that lunches don't get boring, vary the bread - wholemeal,
multigrain, rye, white, sourdough - or any other bread is suitable.
Don't forget to include different types of rolls sometimes, or use
pita, tortillas rolled around fillings. You can also use two different
types of bread - for example one slice of white, one slice of wholemeal.
In winter, a thermos flask of soup is warming. Again, add some bread
and a piece of fruit to make it more substantial. Vary fruits, using
whatever is in season. Apples, oranges, mandarins, bananas, passionfruit
and pears travel well. You can also make fruit more interesting
by including a small plastic container of any fruits in season." The previous suggestions, geared toward those with diabetes, can also be enjoyed by others who are looking for healthy, balanced meal suggestions. Some teens (and adults) will experiment with various diets to find what is right for them. Those who have been vegetarian their entire lives may find creative school lunch making more second nature, but experienced and new vegetarians can still struggle to find something healthy and interesting to have for lunch. Even those who would consider themselves carnivores may find something new (or something they might enjoy with some meat added) from the following list of suggestions aimed at vegans. "Cold Meals: "Snacks and Sides:
Try something new. Find what works for you. Mix and match to balance a healthy meal. Easier said than done -- especially when not all foods are permissible for some students to bring to school, and others are avoided individually or in peer groups because someone in the school, class, or group of friends has a serious and/ or potentially fatal allergy. "Education, cooperation,
and awareness are keys to keeping children with food allergies safe.
... Food allergy safety must be ever-present in the minds of teachers
and other personnel in planning lessons, class activities, field
trips, lunchroom procedures, and every aspect of the school day,
so that children with food allergies can participate safely with
their classmates. ... Children with food allergy must learn to always
be vigilant about their food allergy inside and outside of the classroom." Finding healthy foods that will help your body and mind preform at their best is not always easy. Whatever you decide to pack, it will be better for you if it doesn't make you sick. ""Start with
fresh, clean food. Wash your hands, food preparation surfaces and
utensils with soap and water before you make the sandwiches or prepare
food. *Keep perishable foods cold, under 40° F, or hot, above,
140° F. Temperatures between 40° F and 140° F allow
bacteria to grow rapidly, making perishable foods unsafe to eat.
Insulated lunch boxes are the best way to keep foods cold until
lunch. Pack perishable foods like meat, poultry, egg or dairy products
next to a frozen gel pack, a frozen applesauce cup or a frozen juice
box. Place perishable food between frozen items. Sandwiches can
be frozen before placing in the insulated lunch box. *Freezer gel
packs will keep food cold until lunchtime, but generally not for
all day storage. To extend the length of time a gel pack will keep
food cold, pre-pack everything in an open insulated lunch box minus
the gel pack the night before, and refrigerate. In the morning add
the frozen gel pack and close tightly. Keep lunches out of direct
sunlight and away from radiators or other heat sources. Any perishables
left over from lunch should be thrown out." Questions of the Week: Please email me with any ideas or suggestions. I look forward to reading what you have to say. Cindy |
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