Going back to school also means going back to healthy eating. Nutritious snacking can help your child curb hunger throughout the day, as well as provide energy and important nutrients. Consider these10 tips for quick and healthy lunch box snacks.

1. Say no to junk food

Your child won’t clamor for cookies, candy bars or chips if you don’t keep them on hand.

2. Go for the grain

Whole-grain foods — such as whole-grain pretzels or tortillas and high-fiber, whole-grain bread — provide energy with some staying power.

3. You don’t have to stick to bread
Vary the bread you use by opting for rye or seeded varieties of wraps, rolls or pitta. Omit the butter or spread when using moist fillings in sandwiches to help keep fat and calories down.

4. Mix and match
Include baby carrots or other raw veggies with hummus. Fresh fruit in fat-free yogurt as well as peanut butter with apples or bananas makes for a tasty healthy treat.

5. Broaden the menu
Offer out-of-the-usual fare, such as avocado, pineapple, cranberries, red or yellow peppers, or mangoes. Have kids choose a few foods and mix them together for a colorful snack.

6. Don’t forget the water
Stick to water in the drink bottle – most juices are full of sugar and make the drink-bottle smelly. They also don’t do a very good job of quenching thirst.

7. Sweeten it up

Healthy snacks for kids don’t have to be bland. To satisfy your child’s sweet tooth, offer lower fat puddings and fruit bars. Make smoothies with milk, plain yogurt, and fresh or frozen fruit.

8. Have fun

Use a cookie cutter to make shapes out of low-fat cheese slices and whole-grain bread. Make fruit kebabs instead of adding sweets to their lunch box.

9. Promote healthy snacking at home

Give your children the same healthy snacks at home as you do when they are at school. Keep a selection of ready-to-eat veggies in the refrigerator. Leave fresh fruit in a bowl on the counter. Store low-sugar, whole-grain cereal, and fruit canned or packaged in its own juice in an easily accessible cabinet.

10. Don’t be fooled by labeling gimmicks

Foods marketed as low-fat or fat-free can still be high in calories and sodium. Likewise, foods touted as cholesterol-free can still be high in fat, saturated fat and sugar. Check nutrition labels to find out the whole story.
In addition to making sure that your child is healthy, make sure that they are covered too by updating your insurance policy.

Speak to Indwe Risk Services today on 0860 13 13 14.