Fresh Ideas For That School Lunch Box
Oskaloosa, Iowa – It’s easy to be in a rut when it comes to packing you or your child’s lunch. Taylor Grgurich serves as a dietitian at Hy-Vee in Oskaloosa, and she spent a recent afternoon helping those back to school shoppers explore new things for lunch.
Grgurich had the five food groups categorized so those exploring options could see and explore. Grgurich says that half the lunch box should be fruits and vegetables.
Those vegetables can take some time to prepare for those with a busy schedule, and Grgurich highlighted ones that were already chopped and ready to go.
Grgurich had some different low-calorie dip options for the vegetables.
Looking towards fruits, Grgurich suggests purchasing varieties that are packaged in 100% fruit juice or no sugar added containers.
“Dairy is really good,” said Grgurich, who looks for varieties lower in fat and calories.
“When packing lunches, especially for kids, I try to pick the easiest thing I can find,” added Grgurich. “Prepackaged nuts and seeds are really great to pop in a lunch box. Tuna packets, already hard boiled eggs, peanut butter,” are good protein choices for on the go eating.
Whole-grain crackers help to fill out the lunch box selection for noontime eating.
“Try to cut out some processed foods, and really try to eat whole foods,” said Grgurich.