Back to School Lunch Tips for Preschoolers

"Don't you move from this table until you're plate is clean! There are children in China starving so don't waste food." I'm sure many of you heard something similar growing up. When I was younger, children were starving in a different country just about every other night so I cleaned my plate even when I felt stuffed as a turkey. As I got older, I didn't think about eating all of my food, I just did it and weight piled on! After deprogramming myself and getting to somewhat of a healthy weight (I'm still a work in progress) I didn't want to make the same mistake with my own child. I'm sure you've noticed that children, including preschoolers, are getting bigger! The Obesity Society reports an estimated one in five children in the United States is overweight. Being overweight can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and even depression. With childhood obesity on the rise and dealing with my own weight issues, I vowed never to force my child to eat when she didn't want to. As a matter of fact, she doesn't eat!! She could live off of macaroni, fish sticks, broccoli, corn, fruit and water. If I let her, she would go all day without eating a thing. I was definitely concerned that she wasn't getting enough essential vitamins and nutrients. After experimenting with a few different foods, discovered foods that my toddler would eat. You, too, can get your child on the road to healthy eating habits with these easy nutritious back to school lunch ideas.

Old Faithful, the deli meat sandwich

2 slices of whole grain bread, lean deli meat such as turkey or ham, a slice of Swiss cheese or 2% American cheese, tomato slices, lettuce with a little mustard and/or mayo, apple wedges and baked chips

Old Faithful, Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich

Peanut Butter and Jelly on two slices of whole grain bread with carrot sticks, grapes and sugar free pudding

Old Faithful, Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Toasted whole grain bread with American cheese served with a side of tomato soup, baby carrots and sugar free pudding.

Pasta

Whole grain pasta cooked in tomato sauce and turkey meatballs served with a fruit cup such as pineapple or mandarin oranges or cold pasta salad with vegetables, a small fruit salad and two graham crackers

Chicken Wrap

Grilled chicken with veggies and shredded cheese in a whole grain wrap with a small bag of goldfish crackers and yogurt

Being taught healthy eating habits early on provides children with essential knowledge of foods that are good for their bodies and foods that are beneficial for their nutritional needs. As parents, we have to make sure we make smart food choices in the home so that healthy eating maybe carried on for generations to come.