Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Include healthy foods in your child’s school lunches. Children perform better at school when their bodies are well nourished. Eating healthy, nutritious foods helps control weight. Eating disorders and being overweight are more common among children these days.

Provide a variety that includes more fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods in their lunches. If your child prefers to buy the school lunch, review the monthly menu at home with your child to help choose healthier food items. When packing a lunch, include foods from each of the food groups. Let your child help choose the foods. They are then more likely to eat all of their lunch. Listed below are some nutrition-packed food ideas:

• Grains: Low fat muffins, bagels, whole grain breads and rolls, pita bread and pretzels.

• Fruits: Bananas, grapes, apples, cut-up oranges, melons, peaches, pineapples, and kiwi in a small container.

• Vegetables: Carrots and celery, cucumber slices, sliced red and green peppers.

• Dairy: String cheese, slices of low fat cheese, low fat yogurt.

• Protein: Lean luncheon meat, peanut butter, tuna, leftover chicken pieces, or sunflower seeds.

For more information about nutrition, call the Genesee County Health Department at (810) 257-3616.