School Lunch

In recent years, with the number of vegetarian families increasing, and with more kids progressively becoming non-meat eaters, parents look for ideas with regard to well-balanced lunches. They struggle to find wholesome food to pack in their children’s school lunches. This task could be overwhelming because just about all nut products are banned from most elementary schools because of allergies. Nut products are excellent source of protein in the vegetarian diet, therefore parents should have alternative protein sources which are suitable for the kids to bring to school.

Parental concern over the nutritional quality and variety of school lunches has led many schools to publish their school-lunch menus in advance. Parents can go over these menus with their children and suggest best selections. If a school-lunch program fails short of your nutritional goals for your child, persuade your parents’ organization to press for change. Alternatively, you can pack a home lunch for your kid.

Major supermarkets have vegetarian lunch that can be rolled up to eat. It’s made from soy protein, and can help provide kids the energy they need. Cheese as well as tofu cheese is excellent protein source that can be eaten in sandwiches, in tortilla wraps, or even on crackers. Mozzarella, cheddar as well as Havarti are well-liked flavors among children. Regular egg salad, or even the egg-and-dairy-free, is wonderful in sandwiches or on crackers. Hummus, which is produced from chick peas, is available in a variety of flavors and it is excellent on crackers or as a sandwich spread. It’s also a delicious dip for raw veggies.

A good, well-balanced lunch should include selections from the Basic Four food groups:

• A source of protein such as dried beans, peanut butter, eggs or cheese
• A grain product, preferably whole grain, such as bread or crackers (breadsticks or unsweetened cereals as a welcome change)
• A fruit or vegetable, preferably one of each, fresh whenever possible (small cans or containers of tomato, vegetable, or unsweetened fruit juice, as a change of pace)
• A dairy product such as milk, cheese, or yogurt.

Several measures can be taken to ensure against spoilage:

1. Wash hands and utensils. Never use the same knife or cutting board for raw meats and ready-to-eat foods.
2. Pack foods and sandwich fillings with an ice pack.
3. Freeze some items, such as yogurt, and some sandwiches overnight. They will defrost by lunchtime.
4. Avoid using leftovers that have been in the refrigerator for days.

Well-Balanced Lunch-Box Meals

For well-balanced lunches, select an item from each group

Dairy

• Thermos of milk
• Container of yogurt
• Swiss cheese slices
• Cottage-cheese

Protein

• Peanut butter with raisins, banana, or apple slices for variety
• Sliced or chopped eggs
• Thermos of chilli with beans

Fruit/Vegetables

• Fresh apple or orange
• Fruit bars or roll
• Carrot and celery sticks
• Broccoli florets
• Thermos of vegetable soup
• Fresh tomato slices
• Sliced green pepper
• Carrot/raisin slaw

Grain

• Whole-wheat crackers
• Rye bread
• Breadsticks
• Pita bread
• Bran or whole-grain fruit muffin
• Sesame crackers

Also, getting the kids involved in their lunch-preparation process is helpful. It will be good for them to have a say in what they eat. Before grocery shopping, parents can take time with their children to plan school lunches for the week. Older children can always make their own lunches, or help their parents. Healthy vegetarian lunches can be a lot of fun for kids to eat, especially when they have a say in what their lunch box contains.