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PUTTING TOGETHER A SCHOOL LUNCH is pretty easy. Putting together a school lunch that is nutritious and tasty and that your child will actually eat—not so simple.

Yet that midday meal is important for schoolkids. Eating a healthy lunch helps your child concentrate better in class and have more energy for sports. It also means your child is less likely to indulge in junk food after school, notes the American Dietetic Association (ADA).

Strategy for nutrition

“Plan a lunch that gives your child the nutrients needed for healthy growth and development,” says pediatrician StaceyTownsend, MD, with the Saint Alphonsus Medical Group clinic in Eagle. “Include a choice from each of the five food groups: fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy and grains.”

Next, make a list of lunch box-friendly foods your child likes in each category. Don’t be afraid to try something different—if your child loves leftover pizza or enjoys cold cereal, those can be great starting points to build lunch around.

Make sure you have the proper gear too. An insulated lunch box, an ice pack and a good thermos open up a whole new world of options, from hot soups to cold pasta salads.

Make it fun

Once you’ve taken care of the basics, find ways to make those

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lunches creative too. Here are some ideas:

• Offer new shapes and sizes of food, like star fruit or minimuffins. Cut sandwiches into fun shapes with cookie cutters.

• Make theme lunches—try all red food and utensils for Valentine’s Day, or go green for St. Patrick’s Day.

Make it a treat

Need more inspiration? Consider these kid-friendly treats from the Saint Alphonsus Medical Group:

• Make skewers with chunks of turkey, cheese, melon and cucum-ber. Serve them with whole-grain crackers and low-fat chocolate milk.

• Spread a cinnamon raisin bagel wi slices. Pair it with some baby carr • Spread refried beans on a whole- with cheese for a quick and easy salsa for dipping, along with frui

Interested in finding a pediatrician on all aspects of your child’s health Saint Alphonsus Medical Group a 367-DOCS (3627). We have pedi and family physicians located in B Eagle, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwel and Fruitland.

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