Another year has begun and with it comes another year of school lunches (did anyone else just hear that collective groan?) Perhaps you have noticed the healthy changes that have taken place in the school lunch menu. The cafeteria staff has been working hard to improve the nutritional quality of their meals and the health of our children. Kudos to them on behalf of our children!
For those families that prefer to bring a lunch from home, now is the perfect time to review the FVP strategy for bag lunches (see the Quick Bite article from January 26, 2011 or click on the following link http://www.aquickbite.net/?p=18). To review, choose one fruit, one vegetable, and one protein as the starting point for the lunch. This will help ensure that your child hits these frequently missed food groups. The start of the school year is a good time to start new, healthy habits.
At the original posting of this strategy, a question was raised about the mixed message this sends to athletes who are being taught to eat lots of carbohydrates. In response, first it is important to remember that fruits are carbohydrates. Secondly, additional carbohydrates, such as bread or pasta, can be added to the lunch if desired after the fruit, vegetable, and protein as chosen. Starting with these other food groups is a good idea because these are the groups often forgotten. And finally, it is true that carbohydrates are a key fuel for athletes, particularly just before an event. However, most people overestimate carbohydrate needs and/or the intensity of the event. For example, a first grader does not need to carb load or guzzle Gatorade for a T-ball game. Some student athletes can benefit from a carbohydrate-rich meal and if you have questions on the carbohydrate needs for your student athlete, feel free to contact Amy at amy@aquickbite.net.