7 Ways to Pack Healthier School Lunches

Because of a growing problem with obesity in children, the government has been cracking down on schools and the food they offer for lunch. However, the most effective way to know your child is eating a healthy, balanced lunch is to pack their lunches for them. Here are ten ways to pack healthier school lunches: 

1. Choose Low-Fat Meats
A lunchmeat sandwich is a staple in most lunch boxes. But, have you looked at a package of salami, corned beef, beef bologna, or pastrami lately? The fat content in these lunchmeats is high! To give your children less fat and less calories in their school lunches, choose lunchmeats such as turkey, chicken, and low-fat bologna.

2. Real Juice Is the Best
There are many fruit drinks on the store shelves today. The word "fruit" itself sounds like the drink is healthy. But when you read the product labels, many brands of drinks contain little, if any, real fruit juice. To pack a healthier school lunch for your children, be sure you choose fruit drinks such as Juicy Juice™ or real orange juice. Juicy Juice, for example, is made from
"100% real fruit juice." It contains "no added sugars, sweeteners, preservatives or artificial flavors."

Another way to pack a healthier school lunch is to place the fruit juice container in the freezer overnight. Then, place the frozen container in your child's lunchbox along with their food. The ice will help keep your child's foods cool. And don't worry, it will thaw out by lunchtime!

3. Go Light on the Cheese
A slice of cheese on a lunchmeat sandwich is a favorite for children and adults alike. Cheese is a valuable source of calcium and protein for your children's school lunches. But it's high in fat content as well. When you shop for cheese, look for low-fat varieties. Or, instead of putting cheese on your child's sandwich, replace it with some healthier lettuce or tomato slices instead.