PACKING THE LUNCH BOX

Nutrition and the lunch box, one of the unsung challenges for parents. Appealing to a child's intellect is generally futile. Notions such as "food groups", well balanced etc. can be pretty elusive. If you're looking for options out of the "peanut-butter and jelly rut", you'll have better success with foods that are crunchy, fun to eat with the fingers and/or come in unusual packaging.

Things to Put in the Lunch Box Other than Sandwiches

• air popped popcorn
• raw veggies with salad dressing
• small boiled potatoes or pretzel sticks with cheese dip
• fruit slices with a container of yogurt for dipping
• breadsticks with ham wrapped around them
• Kabobs of Vegetables, fruit and/or cheese
• celery stuffed with cheese spread or peanut butter
• cored apple or pear stuffed with peanut butter
• string cheese
• individual containers of applesauce, canned fruit or pudding (and a spoon!)
• hard boiled eggs
• a note or picture from Mom or Dad!