09 Sep Going Back to School – Healthy

Or, going to work, healthy ☺

I used to have mixed feelings this time of year. I loved summer but I the missed the mainly healthy routine of the school year. But now that I’m an empty nester, I’m now packing “going to work” lunches and not back to school. The good news is that work lunch ideas will work for back to school.

Use the right container: I discovered Bentology at my local health food store and I’m completely sold on it!  

I found that these containers helped to inspire me to add a variety of food items to my lunch and key point; it helped me with portion control for the items going into my lunch.

Here’s what’s in my Bentology Box:

Protein source examples (choose two protein sources for adults and one for kids; exception, if your child is playing sports after school, add an additional one):

1. Leftover rotisserie chicken
2. Hard-boiled egg
3. Greek yogurt
4. Cottage cheese
5. Pumpkin seeds
6. Pistachios

How much protein do you need? Take your weight and divide by 2. For example, if you weigh 130 pounds you will need approximately 65 grams/day.

Fiber & fun (pick one):

1. KIND Healthy Grains Raspberry Clusters is a granola made with five super grains.

Recognizable, nutritious ingredients. What I really like about it is it has 35% less sugar than the average sugar content of other KIND Healthy Grains Clusters.

Produce power (pick two):

1. Pluots: I find that most kids (and adults) love the taste of pluots. They made my list because they are a firm fruit so if you slice it in the morning, it will still taste fresh at lunch-I don’t like mushy fruit ☹
2. Sliced bell peppers-more vitamin c than an orange!
3. Carrots or celery-the old favorite and most of us have these in our fridge.
4. Apple slices-fine to slice it up in the morning, just sprinkle with cinnamon to keep them from turning brown.

Sweet treat (pick one):

1. Coconut chips
2. Grapes
3. Cookie (small)

Hydration:

1. Curate by LaCroix: I love the flavor, it’s bolder & stronger than the regular LaCroix beverages, and they are sweetener, sodium and calorie free. I still see adults, teens and kids drinking sodas and sadly, energy drinks. This is a way for your child (or you!) to still have a “cool can” in hand without it coming at the high price of being chock full of HFCS, chemicals or added sugars.

Honorable mention:

DNA LIFE BARS:  After his wife was diagnosed with MS in 2010, they opted for a nutritional approach to her care and discovered that avoiding gluten, dairy, soy, and refined sugar was essential.

Brian (her husband) created 4 flavors of great tasting, high protein nutrition bars that are fresh baked and are always gluten-free and refined-sugar free. And bonus: 14 GRAMS OF PROTEIN AND ONLY 2 GRAMS OF SUGAR!