A child must have a balanced meal at school. A balanced meal is a dish that provides:
- Vitamins
- Protein
- Fat
- Carbs
- Minerals
For a growing child, the key to a well-balanced meal is daily access to nutrition-dense foods. These foods are packed with nutrients, but they have less sugar, salt, and fat.
The Starting Lineup for a Lunchbox
In the protein category, you can’t beat seafood. If your child does not like seafood, poultry is a viable alternative. In terms of other sources of protein, you could serve:
- Soy products
- Any lean beef
- Raw nuts
- Roasted nuts
- Peas
For dessert, the best nutrition-dense foods are fruits. There are no rules when it comes to fruits. You can pack:
- Fresh fruit
- Canned fruit
- Dried fruit
- Frozen fruit
The same rules apply to vegetables. There are plenty of nutrients in fresh, canned, frozen, and dry veggies. However, you must weigh all of the products carefully to ensure the highest nutritional value. For fresh varieties, opt for the most colorful produce. If you prefer canned goods, pick a brand that’s low in sodium.
Next up are snack ideas. In this category, you can’t go wrong with oatmeal, wild rice, brown rice, or pasta.
The final component of a balanced meal is dairy. There are a few ways to incorporate a dairy product. For example, you could add a slice of low-fat cheese to a sandwich. If you need dessert ideas, explore the world of low-fat yogurt.
Serving Up a New Course
Great food complements a great education, so use these strategies to serve up success for your child at the nearest middle school in Waddell, AZ.
