Face it, folks. The truth is that you never really know what your children eat in the lunchroom. The best hatched plans, by cafeteria cooks and bagged lunch queens, can sometimes end up in the trash.
If you're packing lunch for your kids, keep a few things in mind to make the process go more smoothly for both you and them. Impress on them that it's important that they tell you when they don't like something. Tossing or trading solves the immediate problem but the empty lunchbox indicates everything was eaten and enjoyed. In other words, they will get that tuna on rye again.
It's their right to not like certain foods.
One strategy is to focus more on breakfast and dinner, and hope the lessons taught there spill over to the noon hour. If children start and end their days with nutritious food, a lapse at lunch doesn't take on disproportionate significance.
If you're sending lunch, think about the different food groups and how you can sneak them in. A high-carb lunch could lead to an afternoon crash and a super crabby ride home. That could result in a trip through the drive-through, adding more fat and carbs to the day and spoiling a nutritious dinner.
What you pack their lunch in might be just as important as what you pack. Soft-sided carriers have plenty of room for frozen packs to keep food and drink cold. You'll want to make sure to prevent any spoilage by keeping certain foods — mayonnaise for instance — the proper temperature. Insulated bags help to keep the packs frozen.
Don't forget insulated containers — generically we call them thermoses — for chicken noodle soup or leftover chili or lasagna. To get the most out of your insulated container, fill it with boiling water to heat it, drain and then spoon in food that has been heated on the stove or oven, not the microwave. All insulated containers lose some heat so you want the food to be much hotter than you would actually eat it to start with.
Also, consider drinks. There are lots of empty calories plus carbohydrates in sugary drinks. Flavored waters are a good choice, but the best of all may be low-fat chocolate milk.
There are lots of fresh fruits in season including strawberries, cherries, plums, apricots, peaches, watermelon and nectarines. Pack what your child likes. Later in the year, look for tangerines and other easy-peeling citrus.
Stock up on plastic utensils and containers in various sizes for salads, dressings, dips or other foods that need more protection than a plastic bag.
Most important, get your children involved with the planning and packing. If he eats sushi for dinner, what's to say he won't at lunch? Same with asparagus spears (with dipping sauce) and grilled chicken salad (pack the ingredients separately).
The more they are invested, the more likely they'll eat what has been so lovingly packed. And that will be a big load off your mind.
Information from Times files was included in this report. Janet K. Keeler can be reached jkeeler@tampabay.com and (727) 893-8586.
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