By Barbara Day, M.S., R.D., C.N.
Insulated bags equipped with freeze packs will help keep your child’s fresh and safe. Using a plastic sandwich container will help keep from having to buy plastic bags. Here are some suggestions: Choose whole grain bread, tortillas, or pita bread for sandwiches. For protein source: sliced lean turkey, roast beef, chicken, tuna salad, egg salad, or nut butters like peanut or almond butter. Add cheese, tomato, shredded carrots, romaine lettuce or spinach, sliced cucumbers, sliced peppers, and sliced bananas or Grape Nuts® to butters to build a healthier sandwich. Add veggies like carrots, fresh green beans or edamame, or cucumbers along with hummus or a yogurt based dip. Pack a cold pasta salad, coleslaw or potato salad with added vegetables like shredded carrots. Prepared low fat yogurt with fruit or add your own fresh fruit & send a container of multigrain cereal like Kashi® Go Lean Crisp Toasted Berry Crumble to be mixed at lunch. For a healthy sweet, add one Dove® dark chocolate promise (42 calories) which is high in the antioxidants called flavanols.
Barbara Day, M.S., R.D., C.N., is a registered dietitian with a Master’s Degree in clinical nutrition. The former publisher of Kentuckiana HealthFitness Magazine, Kentuckiana Healthy Woman magazine and radio show host of Health News You Can Use, Barbara has over 30 years of experience in promoting healthy lifestyles to consumers. Barbara worked as Nutrition Consultant to the Navy SEALs (8 years) and the University of Louisville Athletic Department (10 years). Barbara has private practice, DayByDay Nutrition, www.DayByDayNutrition.com, where she counsels clients on weight loss, cholesterol management, performance nutrition and an array of other medical issues. Visit Barbara’s new website which is an on-line health & wellness magazine, www.KentuckianaHEALTHWellness.com. Barbara writes nutrition and health columns for www.LiveStrong.com as well as a weekly nutrition column for the Southeast Outlook. She also designs and presents employee wellness programs to small and large businesses. Barbara is a runner, cyclist, hiker and a mother and grandmother to 11 grandchildren.
