Trade Proof School Lunch Tips

Relax...with these helpful tips from Mr. Food, it's guaranteed that your kids will eat the healthy food you send to school in their lunch boxes. You can be sure they'll never trade their school lunch again.

• Include the kids in planning the shopping list for their lunch. Don’t let them make decisions that sacrifice their nutrition – but do offer them options. Ask them which fruit they’d like to have for lunch and if they'd like baked chips or pretzels, lean turkey or chicken, etc. They get to choose, and parents still have control over the choices.
   
• Keep a load of fun-shaped cookie cutters on hand to cut out sandwiches, cheese slices and, yes, even cookies. These come in handy for fun-shaped breakfast pancakes, too.
   
• Let the kids help prepare and assemble their lunch, or cook or bake any items that can be included in their lunch.
   
• Pair assorted dips with a variety of finger foods such as cut-up fruits and vegetables; rolled deli meats and cheese; or string cheese, cookies and crackers.
   
• Variety is essential. Vary the bread types for sandwiches beyond white bread. Suggestions include: wheat, whole grain, rye, pumpernickel, crackers, cracker breads, English muffins, bagels, pita bread or tortilla wraps in lots of different flavors.