It can be easy to overlook planning nutritious lunches. "But
don't count out lunch," says Elizabeth Ward, registered
dietitian, mother of three and author of "MyPlate for Moms, How
to Feed Yourself & Your Family Better: Decoding the Dietary
Guidelines for Your Real Life." In fact, students who eat a
nutritious, balanced diet are better prepared to learn, reports
the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
"School lunch is more than just a meal - it's an opportunity for
good nutrition and teaching during children's prime learning
hours," says Ward. "Children are always growing and developing,
both physically and mentally, so providing them with great lunch
nutrition keeps them healthy in and out of the classroom." Ward
offers the following tips to help keep your child eating healthy
during school hours: - Talk to your children. Ask them what they
would like to eat for lunch and teach them where food comes
from. Involving children in meal planning will make the process
more fun. Packing lunch wi