Benefits of Packing Your Child's Lunch

Summer vacation is over and school is back in session. From getting the essential school supplies, new clothes, and tennis shoes it's time to get organized for a great school year. Every time the new school year comes back around, you probably ponder whether you should pack your child's lunch or pay for school lunches this year. In some cases, your child may be asking you if he or she can start bringing their lunch from home. Even if it takes you extra time in the morning or evening, there are several benefits to packing their lunch this year. Central Ozarks Medical Center is here to provide you with the benefits of packing your child's lunch this year, along with a few ideas to keep it healthy and convenient.

 You Control Their Nutrition

One of the major benefits of packing your child's lunch is that you control what your child is eating. When you pack their lunch you ensure that they are getting the proper nutrients that are crucial for physical and mental development. A nutritious lunch is key for learning and focusing in the classroom. If you have a picky eater on your hand and they don't like the school lunch that is provided, you risk them getting enough to eat which can be a learning distraction in the afternoons.

Start Healthy Habits Early

In addition to packing a healthy nutritious lunch, providing your child with a packed lunch teaches them healthy habits early. Starting healthy habits early on can reduce the risks of childhood obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions. If you pack your child a healthy lunch, you are instilling healthy eating habits early that will hopefully result in a healthy lifestyle into adulthood.

Cost Effective

Often packing a homemade lunch is more cost effective than buying school lunch. With planning, price checking, and buying in bulk packing their lunch is the cheaper options. Here are a few tips for keeping costs down.

• Buy a variety of vegetables and divide them up in sandwich bags for the entire week. 
• Purchase seasonal fruit that is on sale.
• Always look at the sale ad and purchase fruits and vegetables that are on sale. Not only will you save money, but it will also give your child variety every week. 

Healthy Lunch Ideas

When it comes to packing a healthy lunch, choose a variety of colors and textures that appeal to kids. Finger foods work well for easy eating at lunchtime. Check out a few convenient and nutritious lunches we found online.

Source: https://familymaven.io/kidsactivities/recipes/15-back-to-school-lunch-ideas-RchOWFnvnUWeyP9azdqxmA/

Lunch #1

• Apples with walnuts
• Turkey rolls
• Sliced cucumbers
• Strawberries & Blueberries

Lunch #2 

• Hummus with carrots
• Grilled Chicken strips
• Red grapes

Lunch #3 

• Ham & Spinach Pinwheel (wrapped in a flour tortilla)
• Carrots
• Banana chips
• Orange

Lunch #4

• Pepperoni wrapped in Turkey
• Apples with cinnamon
• Pistachios (or their favorite type of nut)
• Red Grapes

Lunch #5

• Cheese & Crackers
• Turkey rolls
• Apple slices
• Applesauce or Chocolate Pudding

Annual Checkups at Central Ozarks Medical Center 

The start of the school year is a great time to take your child for an annual checkup. Have you established your primary health care provider at the Lake of the Ozarks? Central Ozarks Medical Centers has a team of doctors at the Lake of the Ozarks that are here to ensure the health and well being of your child. Annual checkups are a great way to promote and maintain the overall health and wellbeing of your child. Schedule your annual checkup with Central Ozarks Medical Center today!

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