Healthy Eating vs Convenience: How to find the balance when packing school lunches

With kids heading back to school, health experts say the focus should be on what kids are eating as much as what they are learning.

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As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00 p.m., whether you are sending your children to school with a packed lunch or going with school-provided lunches, health experts recommend making sure eating healthily is the focus and not convenience.

However, Consumer Reports Dietician Amy Keating admits that finding that balance can be a challenge,

“You’re not going to have time every day, and that’s where, when your guard is down and you’re too busy, that’s where the convenience comes in, and we don’t have time to think about it,” Keating said.

Keating said that being prepared ahead of time will help when it comes to those busy mornings.

“But if we take the time to, you know, just think through what we want to pack for the lunches. Get some of that stuff pre-made, whether it’s as simple as slicing some oranges or apples to making some brown rice that you’re going to mix later with some of your leftovers from dinner,” Keating said.

Keating said fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and unprocessed proteins are the go-tos. Processed deli meats and meal kits can contain high levels of sodium and saturated fats.

The most important thing to remember is making sure everyone is on the same page with the food choices.

“It’s really frustrating and hard for parents of elementary school age, kids, you know, day in and day out, to bring it up and be positive about it, and not make food a reward,” Keating said. “But over time, you model the behavior, you talk about it, you keep making improvements, better choice than the choices. It’ll pay off.”

Another helpful tool is that most school districts now have their menus available online so you can stay on top of your child’s lunch and make changes when you’d like to.

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