It will soon be time to think about preparations for a new school year. Perhaps your kids aren’t very excited about this, but even so, you want to give them a great start for another successful year. Power their creativity and ability to learn with healthy lunch options! The following are some ways you can ensure that their lunches will preserve a healthy smile.

Aim to Pack Things Like: fresh fruits and vegetables; whole grain breads and crackers; milk, cheese and yogurt; nuts; water.

Avoid: Sports drinks; soda; gummy snacks; sweet processed snack foods.

Tips

• Encourage your child now to start drinking water and unsweetened beverages.
• Look for foods that are high in calcium and vitamin C, but low in sticky, sugary carbohydrates.
• Whole grains and the fibers of fresh fruits and vegetables reduce the amount of harmful plaque that can grow in your child’s mouth.
• Get the little ones involved in packing their lunches–they will be more excited to eat healthy food they helped to make!
• Try substituting healthier options one at a time into your child’s diet.
• Prepare healthy lunch items in advance and store them in the refrigerator so that lunches can be quickly assembled (i.e., slice cheese, wash fruits, prepare vegetables, and store them in separate containers).
• Always recommend rinsing with water after eating. Even calcium-rich foods such as dairy products contain some sugars that can harm teeth.

Healthy Lunch Examples

A turkey sandwich on whole-grain bread, a peeled and sliced kiwi, carrot sticks, and a handful of almonds.

Celery sticks with peanut butter, an apple, cheddar cheese slices, and a yogurt.

Tuna or chicken salad, whole grain crackers, strawberries, milk, and sweet pepper slices.

Posted on behalf of:
Rowe Family Dental Care
2320 Satellite Blvd NW #120
Duluth, GA 30096
(770) 622-5909