Q. Sometimes my kids have to fend for themselves for lunch during the summer months. What suggestions do you have for easy food they can eat that will be healthy for them?
A. Letting your kids prepare their own lunches is a great way to teach them about healthy eating choices and also how to cook for themselves.
 Stockbyte Kids at home alone need simple cooking tasks that don't involve the stove. |
However when kids are making their own lunches, often they won't make the healthiest choices without a little guidance. To help them make smart eating decisions, stock the refrigerator and pantry with these foods:
- Cut-up vegetables, like broccoli and carrots, plus tomato slices for sandwiches
- Low-fat lunch meat or tuna salad
- Diced cooked chicken breast
- Slices of reduced-fat cheese
- Servings of bread, bagels or tortillas in sandwich bags to control carbohydrate intake
- Juice boxes (Make sure they contain 100% juice.)
- Pretzels or baked chips in individual packages to control serving size
- Pickles, salsa, ketchup and other low-fat condiments
For ideas on meals kids can prepare on their own or with minimal adult supervision, see:
