A healthy lunch prepares your child for afternoon learning

It is back to school time and many moms and dads are getting ready for the daily lunchbox.

School lunch is very important because not only is it one of the child's main meal it is also the meal that gives their body and brain that extra nourishment to be ready for an afternoon of learning.

You might be asking: "what is a healthy lunch?"

Good question.  The My Plate gives us the answer.  A healthy lunch should have foods from the five food groups.  

• Some vegetables and a piece of fruit for concentrated vitamins and minerals for overall health and fighting off disease
• nonfat or low fat dairy product for calcium and vitamin D
• lean protein, the building blocks of the body
• whole grains for fiber, vitamin B and energy

Here are some examples of healthy lunch meals:

Lunch 1 - celery sticks with peanut butter, nonfat milk, apple and graham crackers

Lunch 2 - whole wheat crackers with sliced lowfat cheese, sliced turkey with a bag of grapes and baby carrots

Lunch 1 - lowfat yogurt, walnuts, chopped fruit and whole grain granola and some sliced cucumbers

(you can easily substitute vegetables for the ones your child enjoys)

More resources

Find meal plans for your child including vegetarian meal plans.

Get more ideas of foods to include in your child's lunchbox from each of the food groups