{"id":10901,"date":"2022-11-09T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-09T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eatrightpa.org\/blog\/?p=10901"},"modified":"2022-11-06T15:03:55","modified_gmt":"2022-11-06T15:03:55","slug":"keeping-your-cool-with-packing-school-lunches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eatrightpa.org\/blog\/2022\/11\/09\/keeping-your-cool-with-packing-school-lunches\/","title":{"rendered":"Keeping Your Cool with Packing School Lunches"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By: Kimberly Hagenbuch MS, RD, LDN, CDCES<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have officially reached the Holiday season and time seems to go fast this time of year.  Staying prepared can help reduce stress among the commitments and celebrations.  Keep the kids with a routine by continuing to pack school lunches.  Here are some tips to keep your cool when making school lunches.  <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Canva free stock photo for Packing Back to School Lunch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Keep it safe:<\/strong> The USDA says foodborne illness can happen between 40 degrees F and 140 degrees F.  Popular lunch favorites like cheese sticks and yogurt pouches tend to lose their cool quickly.  It\u2019s best to   use an insulated lunchbox and two thin ice packs to keep perishable foods cold and out of the temperature danger zone.  Retailer have recognized the importance of a safe lunch and have created lunch box brands with a removable freeze-tray that encases the lunch.  Need an ice pack in a pinch?  Try freezing a water bottle and using it to keep foods at a safe temperature.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep it balanced:<\/strong> Proper nutrition is essential for your child\u2019s growth and development.  Research shows the importance of nutrition for a child\u2019s focus and being wellbeing at school.  Include a balance of nutrients from a variety of foods groups by using the ChooseMyPlate method in your child\u2019s lunchbox.  This means including protein, starch, fruit, veggies, dairy, and fat in the meal.  A simple example could be an unconstructed taco.  Use leftover lean ground beef, 2% cheese, tomatoes & lettuce, a few whole corn tortillas and small portion of cubed avocado.  Pack a piece of fruit on the side.            <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep it simple:<\/strong> We live in an Instagram-worthy world with lots of comparisons.  Believe me, dietitians love the fancy food and taking photos of foods more than most, but we value even more simplicity and consistency.  As the parent, you know your child best.  What are their favorite foods that they enjoy eating?  Do most foods come back in the lunchbox at the end of the day uneaten?  Knowing this information can help you pack what works for your children.  Simple ideas such as a sandwich, fruit, yogurt, and bottle of water can be a great lunch option.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be mindful<\/strong>: Some schools and daycare centers are \u201cfood allergy aware\u201d and follow a nut-free policy or feature allergen-free tables in the cafeteria.  According to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), one in 13 children have a food allergy.  Please know your school\u2019s policies and stay educated on food allergy safety for all children.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Save time<\/strong>: Mornings can be hectic, and you may save a good deal of time by preparing lunches the evening before school.  If your family enjoys leftovers, after dinner, divvy up the contents in everyone\u2019s lunchboxes for the next day.  Cut up fresh fruit and veggies in advance to save time at mealtimes.  Preparing household favorites (like muffins) in advance will help you stay prepared.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Kimberly Hagenbuch MS, RD, LDN, CDCES is a Registered Dietitian working as the outpatient MNT Manager for Sodexo Healthcare.  She is passionate about advocating for Food Allergy Awareness.  Connect with her on Instagram at:https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/food.allergy.dietitian<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By: Kimberly Hagenbuch MS, RD, LDN, CDCES We have officially reached the Holiday season and time seems to go fast this time of year.  Staying prepared can help reduce stress among the commitments and celebrations.  Keep the kids with a routine by continuing to pack school lunches.  Here are some tips to keep your cool […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10901","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eatrightpa.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10901","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eatrightpa.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eatrightpa.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eatrightpa.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eatrightpa.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10901"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.eatrightpa.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10901\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10918,"href":"https:\/\/www.eatrightpa.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10901\/revisions\/10918"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eatrightpa.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10901"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eatrightpa.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10901"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eatrightpa.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}