Packing A Better LunchBox
My Kids' LunchBoxes, Ready to Go on a Weekday Morning
I have blogged about school lunches before. But last week’s announcement detailing new federal guidelines to provide meals with more whole grains, fruits, veggies, and less fat and salt got Moms (and Dads) talking about school lunches again. I have taken a very scientific poll (not!) and asked all my Mom (and Dad) friends and it seems to be the consensus that most parents these days only allow their kids to buy school lunch one day a week. Why? Because our kids are not eating a nutritious meal on the day that they buy school lunch. Our school system has already instituted updades (whole grains, low fats, more veggies), but there is always the alternative selection (the hot dog, the pizza, the burger). And then there are the desserts (ice cream, cupcakes). So, my kids (and most of my friends’ kids) are allowed to buy lunch one time per week.
It was with that knowledge that we at NuVal this week put out this press release on how to pack a better lunch box. Actually my colleague Rob wrote up all these trade-ups. And if you haven’t checked out Rob’s story, you should do so. He’s been losing weight since coming to NuVal. He’s eating much more nutritiously and exercising more regularly. Anyway, here are some of Rob’s great tips for packing a better lunch box:
Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich:
To make a classic PB&J, convenience can come at the expense of nutrition. While Uncrustables Peanut Butter & Grape Jelly Sandwiches may shave a couple of minutes off your morning routine, they only score a 5 out of 100 on the NuVal Scale. For better nutrition, you can try Teddie Unsalted Old Fashioned Natural Peanut Butter with a NuVal Score of 49, and Polaner Sugar-Free Concord Grape Jelly with a Score of 82. For better nutrition, spread them both on Pepperidge Farm 100% Whole Wheat Bread (NuVal Score 43).
Snacks:
They may look similar, but granola bars can be very different when it comes to nutrition. For instance, Quaker Chewy Peanut Butter Nutty Granola Bars receive a NuVal Score of 13, while Kashi TLC Chewy Almond Honey Flax Granola Bars get a score of 40.
Those looking for “fruity” snacks should be warned—many of them are a far cry from the real thing. Fruit gushers and Fruit Roll-Ups each score a 1, as they offer a large amount of sugar but little nutrition. Even a snack pack of Mott’s Original Applesauce only receives a NuVal Score of 4. Trading up to the Del Monte Apples & Oranges in Extra Light Syrup fruit cup (NuVal Score 21), is an improvement. But for the best nutrition, you are better off packing real apples (NuVal Score 96), oranges (NuVal Score 100), grapes (NuVal Score 91) and strawberries (NuVal Score 100).
If your child likes crackers and cheese, you may be tempted to pack Oscar Meyer Lunchables Ham and Swiss with Crackers, which receive a NuVal Score of 8. But if you have a few extra minutes, you can make something similar with “Hint of Salt” Triscuits (NuVal Score 38), Kraft American Cheese Singles (NuVal Score 26), and sliced skinless turkey breast (NuVal Score 48).
Drinks:
Many kids’ juices provide a lot of sugar and little else. Capri Sun fruit punch, for instance, scores a 2 on the NuVal Scale. Even apple-cranberry juice, though it sounds better, receives the same low score. As an alternative, Langers Apple Juice Cocktail receives a score of 34.
As for milk, a little bit of chocolate can make a big difference in the NuVal Score, as chocolate milk scores a 27 on the NuVal Scale, while whole white milk scores a 52. Lower-fat milks score even higher. The highest-scoring milk is fat-free or skim milk, which gets a 91.
Question of the Day
Do you pack your kids’ lunch or let them buy? Or, if you don’t have kids, do you pack your own lunch or eat out?
Posted by: Melissa 9 comments
Posted in: NuVal Staff, School Lunch
Tags: School Lunch
