Busy parents often fall prey to lunch box short cuts at the supermarket. These shortcuts include foods that are processed, contain a high amount of sugar, trans fats and preservatives. Following are tips for preparing healthy lunch boxes for your child:

Determine the formula. The formula contains the lunch box components such as (1) a main dish, (2) a fruit or vegetable and (3) something sweet. This takes some of the guess work out of preparing lunches.

Place lunch box items in predetermined areas. Set aside an area in your refrigerator and an area in a cupboard for lunch box items. Make these areas off limits to kids so they don’t deplete your lunch box reserves.

Create a list together. Sit down with your kids and create a list of lunch box items. Update the list frequently as their likes and dislikes evolve.

Pack leftovers. Place lunch-worthy leftovers in the lunch box area in your refrigerator.

Prepare it ahead of time. Cook a bit more for dinner, such as macaroni and cheese, chicken or meatballs, then save leftovers in lunch box size containers and place the containers in the appropriate area in your refrigerator.

Encourage new items. For the child that requests a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every day, encourage new items to avoid falling into a nutritional rut. Start small with slight variations to the theme, such as a bagel sandwich instead of the usual bread.

Let them make it themselves. Have your kids make their own nutritious lunches. Prepare shredded vegetables, meat and sauce, include a tortilla and let them assemble their own lunch at school.

Include some dip. Pack a small container of dipping sauce like ranch dressing to add pizzazz to vegetables, or hummus to spread on bread.

Try healthy dessert alternatives. Examples of healthy dessert options include fruit cups, trail mix, or a baggie full of cereal.

Include a beverage. The best beverage choices for kids are water and milk. If you opt for a juice box, use one that specifies that it is 100 percent fruit juice. If you are concerned about milk spoiling prior to the lunch break, send your child to school with a lunch box but have them purchase a milk box at school.

Provide a healthy lunch box for your child in a way that doesn’t make them want to slam the lunch box lid closed. It’s important to be creative but to also include them in selecting items for their lunch box contents.

Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At http://www.myguidesusa.com you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life’s major events. Whether you’re planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you’ll find answers to your questions at http://www.MyGuidesUSA.com

By Hilary Basile

lunch boxes