When children don’t eat a healthy lunch, it is harder for them to concentrate in the classroom. “Children who ate more fruits, vegetables, protein and fewer calories from fat performed better on literacy tests compared to children with a high fat and salt diet...", a study published in the “Journal of School Health” concluded.

The USDA recommends a lunch that consists of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and a full serving of dairy.

Here are a few tips for making sure your children get enough of the nutritious foods they need:

• Pre-slice fruits before packing them in their lunch box. Wrapping a rubber band around a precut apple will keep it from browning.
• Sliced meat roll ups are a cool way to pack in the protein at lunch.
• Smoothies can be packed full of healthy greens and picky eaters won’t even taste them. Freeze the smoothies overnight and the will be thawed and ready to enjoy at lunch.
• Crackers pair well with spreads like hummus, veggies and lean meats.

Healthy lunches and a well balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables will help to keep you children satisfied, healthy and on task in the classroom.