August , 2007
as seen in "Healthy Foods"
by Leanne Ely

Over the years, the school cafeteria has become a place of too many choices—from franchise fast food offerings to the usual stuff we grew up with—most kids don't know how to pick a healthy lunch or are not inclined to do so considering the many tempting offerings. The alternative is packing your child's lunchbox and it is probably one of the healthiest things parents can do for their school-aged children. Like anything else, lunch is a time to balance your child's meal.

Having a decent protein/carbo ratio in your child's lunchbox, will help him or her finish the day with energy to spare. And while sandwiches are okay, the Ultimate Tortilla Roll-ups (see recipe) is perfect lunchbox fare. Not only are they easy to make and pack well, kids truly love them. There are hundreds of variations on this theme, too—you don't have to just stick with any one recipe. Tortillas make great transportation for almost any filling—experiment a little bit and try different things—even your basic PB & J takes on new meaning when wrapped in a tortilla.

Don't skimp on the fruit. Bananas are great for lunchboxes—convenient, a great source of potassium and come in their own carrying cases. Pack it on the very top though, and wrap it in a couple of napkins for protection-nothing worse than a bruised and mushy banana.

But what about a beverage? Where's the juice, soda or milk?

According to the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) drinking too much juice (yes, even 100% fruit juice) can contribute to the problems of cavities, childhood obesity, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems, such as excessive gas and bloating. Get your child into the good habit of drinking water. Try freezing a small bottle of water instead of the usual juice and flavored drinks. Most children don't drink enough water and packing that frozen bottle is a smart move. By the time lunch rolls around, the bottle has served two purposes: hydrating your child and keeping his lunch cold. Besides, those goofy blue ice thingies always seem to leak their blue stuff everywhere.

Packing a healthy lunch isn't a big deal and something you can easily train your child to do. As a matter of fact, children who learn to pack a healthy lunch are the kids who learn to make responsible nutritional decisions as they grow up—good habits that will serve them for a lifetime.

Allowing your children free range in a school cafeteria can be hazardous to their health, unless they can make good choices. That is, if there are even any good choices available.

And now some ideas: Great & Easy Packables

Curds and No Whey—no kidding! Try drizzling a little honey over the top of that cottage cheese and some cinnamon. Kids think it's great.

Cue the Carrots—the produce department keeps making it easier for busy moms. Those little carrots are indispensable for packing it right and the price is reasonable, too.

Cheese on a String—or whatever other type of cheese, ready to go in the cheese section of the dairy case.

All Dried Out—like just a handful of raisins for example. Get the itty-bitty boxes and encourage your child to put them on their cottage cheese. It's really good that way!

Apple This Way—quarter the apple and sprinkle with cinnamon in a baggie. You won't have to hear about it turning brown and the flavor is just like apple pie. Put a little plastic container with some peanut butter for dipping in there too, and you've got some protein thrown in on the side, too.

And our favorite: the Ultimate Tortilla Roll Up