Providing Healthy School Lunches that Kids will Want to Eat

Providing Healthy School Lunches that Kids will Want to Eat

Many caring moms and dads are sending their children off to school with healthy lunches packed in insulated totes. And school food service providers are offering students healthy lunches at school.

But what if the fruit or vegetables end up in the trash or kids don’t have time to drink their milk? Parents and school food service providers want children to have healthy meals, but they face the challenge of providing foods that children will eat and staying within their own food budgets.

Research that incorporates findings from behavioral economics, food marketing and psychology indicates that there are subtle ways parents and school food service providers can nudge children to eat healthier foods without spending a lot of money.
Here are some tips to help parents when preparing healthy meals and snacks for children.
--Give children the choice between two or more fruits for their lunches when grocery shopping.
--Ask children if they would like their sandwich made with whole wheat bread or a whole grain tortilla.
--Peel oranges or slice apples and put them in a colorful container so they are easy to eat and appealing. Sprinkle apple slices with a little lemon or orange juice to keep them from turning brown.
--Include colorful raw vegetable sticks or baby carrots with lunches. Raw veggies will stay crisp and crunchy if kept cold.
--Make low-fat milk the default choice for a lunchtime beverage.
--Talk to your school principal if you have concerns about the amount of time children have to eat or suggestions for improving the lunch room environment.
Parents are encouraged to teach their children how to make healthier choices. If children understand why foods are healthy, they are more likely to eat them. And children are more likely to eat foods that they choose or help prepare. For example, in the kitchen, show children how to combine low-sugar cereals, dried fruit such as raisins, and nuts for a tasty trail mix which can be used as alternative to snack chips or cookies.



Source: Gayle Coleman, Nutrition Education Program Specialist, UW-Extension