{"id":7322,"date":"2025-08-15T02:18:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T07:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/liveyourlifept.com\/blog\/?p=7322"},"modified":"2025-08-10T14:28:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-10T19:28:15","slug":"back-to-school-school-lunch-a-dietitians-take","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/liveyourlifept.com\/blog\/2025\/08\/15\/back-to-school-school-lunch-a-dietitians-take\/","title":{"rendered":"Back to School:\u00a0 School Lunch- A Dietitian\u2019s Take"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As a registered dietitian and parent, I know that packing a school lunch can sometimes feel like one more task on an already long to-do list. But the truth is, the food you send with your child each day has a powerful impact, not just on their physical health, but on their ability to learn, concentrate, and thrive in the classroom. While we all know this to some degree, lunch packing fatigue is real, so here are a few tips to make the most of what you are packing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, what should<\/em> be in a lunchbox? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Balance is Key<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it can be easy to avoid the battle and simply throw in what you know your kid likes, each lunch should ideally include four things: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Protein <\/strong>(Meat, Nuts, Cheese, Beans)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Carbohydrate<\/strong> (grains, fruit, beans count here too!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Healthy Fat<\/strong> (avocado, nuts, seeds, olive oil based dressing)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Fiber<\/strong>: think fruit and\/or vegetable.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    While most kids tend to be drawn to carbohydrates like chips, cookies, granola bars, having the balance of these 4 groups helps keep their energy levels stable, which improves focus and helps kids stay satisfied until the end of the school day. If you have a kid getting home starving and crabby, they may not be getting enough protein and healthy fat in their lunch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you are like me, I need ideas. Most parents are exhausted after planning dinners day after day.  So, here are some examples of a balanced lunch:<\/p>\n\n\n\n