Do people still pack lunches for kids? When I was growing up, my mom packed my lunch four out of five days a week. Recently, my oldest little girl started school, and I am trying to get the hang of it. I did review my child’s school cafeteria lunch plan and was impressed at the options she was provided. There were healthy, as well as not so healthy options. As mama always said, “Everything in moderation,” so I am not opposed to occasional chicken nugget or slice of pizza. Whether you are selecting food on a cafeteria plan or packing your child’s lunch, here are a few tidbits of information to keep in mind.
Oral health is strongly associated with a person’s diet. Simply put, certain foods are better for your teeth and gums than others. Starchy foods, such as: bread, pasta, chips, and gummies are foods cavity-creating bacteria process the easiest. The by-product the bacteria creates when processing the food is an acid. Acid plays a role in breaking down the enamel (the protective outer layer of a tooth). Foods that the bacteria do not digest as easily are nuts, cheese, yogurt, and meat. These foods do not create as acidic of an environment and therefore less likely to cause cavities. Apples and carrots can be beneficial for teeth because when we bite into them, they aid in removing plaque that has accumulated on the teeth.
Bento boxes became all the rage a couple of years ago, and they are great in keeping food separated and fresh. Another benefit of using Bento boxes is you do not go through as many Ziplock bags. This is a picture of my little girl’s bento box that I purchased on Amazon. It came as a set of three, so I pack several at a time, to cut down on my lunch-making throughout the week. When I plan a lunch, I try to plan for higher protein meals because it keeps her full throughout the day. A few examples are:
Proteins:
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Deli meats
- Edamame
- Nuts and nut butters
- Beef jerky
- Greek yogurt
- Meatballs
Foods that are beneficial for teeth:
- Apples
- Carrots
- Cheese
- Meat
- Nuts
- Yogurt
Foods to eat in moderation:
- Gummy snacks
- Raisins/dried fruit
- Snack cakes
- Chips (I absolutely love chips, but some are worse than others – Cheeto Puffs, Funyuns, and Takis do not rinse off the teeth as well)
- Fruit juices
I hope these tips help, and I’d also love to hear your child’s favorite lunch box options!
