It’s time to take a good look at your kid’s lunch. More than likely your school is serving up unhealthy processed food like conventional canned vegetables and fruits, as well as meat filled with hormones and additives.
The first step to getting your kids a healthier mid-day meal is to make it yourself. A few tips will move you in the right direction:
1. Pack certified organic foods. Although conventionally grown and processed food is usually cheaper, it’s also less nutritious and likely full of pesticides and herbicides. Unless you just can’t afford organic options, there is no need to expose your child’s developing body to the possible health risks of conventional food.
2. Buy bulk food, and make lunches from scratch. Of course, this is easier said than done, but it will allow you to provide meals that are completely free from the unhealthy additions that may be in processed items. You’ll also be wasting less by buying bulk items with less packaging. If you need to, set aside a few hours each weekend to make all the lunch foods in one setting so you’re not stressing about it throughout the week.
3. Buy a vinyl or metal lunch box. Disposable lunch bags are obviously a green no-no, but many reusable versions are dangerous. Reports have shown that many PVC lunch boxes have high levels of lead in their lining. This lead can easily come in contact with the food kids eat, posing a number of health risks ranging from a lower IQ to ADHD. Another concern with vinyl products is that many contain DEHP, a chemical suspected to cause cancer.
4. Stock up on reusable lunch items. A number of companies now offer PVC snack bags and other reusable food and drink storage containers. Use these in your child’s lunch to limit the garbage you produce. You can also use non-disposable wooden utensil and washable cloth napkins to create a waste-free school lunch that’s healthy for your child and the planet.
