Back to School Nutrition!

I received this article and found the information to be very helpful when it comes to children and heading back to school! As I'd tour the lunch room and visit my students, I'd too often find some not-so-healthy options on the table. If we pack smart and allow our children to assist in the lunch-making process, I think we'd all find some positive changes going on in the lunch room! Enjoy!!!

Foods to avoid
Think twice about giving your children foods with labels listing food additives, colors, preservatives, or chemical names you can’t pronounce. Also to be excluded:
MSG
Artificial sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup
Genetically modified foods
Trans fat and hydrogenated fat
Fruit juice from concentrate
White and/or bleached flour products.
Roasted or sugar coated nuts
Healthier options – getting back to basics
Think real food! Start offering your kids whole fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, grains and unprocessed meats. Choose foods that have not been altered from their natural state. Whether your child is 2, 12, or 22 it is never too late to change the way you think about food. Here are some healthy lunch and after-school snack choices for your family that offer flavor and variety along with nutritional benefits.
Lunches:
Turkey roll up: A whole grain, rice, or corn pita, no nitrate lunch meat, lettuce or other leafy green, sliced tomato and hummus or whipped avocado as a pita dressing.
Almond butter sandwich:
2 pieces of whole grain, sprouted grain, or gluten free bread
1-2 Tablespoons of raw almond butter
½ cup of mashed fresh berries or an all natural/low sugar fruit preserve
Snacks:
A piece of fruit or vegetable slices with raw or natural nut butter
Trail mix: mixture of raw nuts and dried raisins, cranberries and pineapple
Mixed berries
Rice crackers and all-natural nut butter
Veggie bag: snow peas, green beans, carrots
Fruit leather, dried fruit slices, or fresh fruit
Greek yogurt and dehydrated veggie chips


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