{"id":398,"date":"2021-09-01T15:15:57","date_gmt":"2021-09-01T15:15:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simmonsyoung.com\/PediatricDentalBlog\/?p=398"},"modified":"2021-09-01T15:15:57","modified_gmt":"2021-09-01T15:15:57","slug":"back-to-school-lunchbox-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simmonsyoung.com\/PediatricDentalBlog\/back-to-school-lunchbox-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Back to School Lunchbox Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Do people still pack lunches for kids?\u00a0 When I was growing up, my mom packed my lunch four out of five days a week.\u00a0 Recently, my oldest little girl started school, and I am trying to get the hang of it.\u00a0 I did review my child\u2019s school cafeteria lunch plan and was impressed at the options she was provided.\u00a0 There were healthy, as well as not so healthy options.\u00a0 As mama always said, \u201cEverything in moderation,\u201d so I am not opposed to occasional chicken nugget or slice of pizza.\u00a0 Whether you are selecting food on a cafeteria plan or packing your child\u2019s lunch, here are a few tidbits of information to keep in mind.<\/p>\n

Oral health is strongly associated with a person\u2019s diet.\u00a0 Simply put, certain foods are better for your teeth and gums than others.\u00a0 Starchy foods, such as: bread, pasta, chips, and gummies are foods cavity-creating bacteria process the easiest.\u00a0 The by-product the bacteria creates when processing the food is an acid.\u00a0 Acid plays a role in breaking down the enamel (the protective outer layer of a tooth).\u00a0 Foods that the bacteria do not digest as easily are nuts, cheese, yogurt, and meat.\u00a0 These foods do not create as acidic of an environment and therefore less likely to cause cavities.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

Bento boxes became all the rage a couple of years ago, and they are great in keeping food separated and fresh.\u00a0 Another benefit of using Bento boxes is you do not go through as many Ziplock bags.\u00a0 This is a picture of my little girl\u2019s bento box that I purchased on Amazon.\u00a0 It came as a set of three, so I pack several at a time, to cut down on my lunch-making throughout the week. \u00a0When I plan a lunch, I try to plan for higher protein meals because it keeps her full throughout the day.\u00a0 A few examples are:<\/p>\n

Proteins: <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n