The ultimate anti-obesity lunch box

Are you cutting corners on your child's school lunches?

We parents start off the school year with so much enthusiasm and excitement. We want nothing but the best for our kids, especially when it comes to their lunch at school. This enthusiasm, however, often fades when the stress of the everyday routine sets in. We get swamped with filling out school forms, helping our kids with their homework and ferrying them to a variety of sports events. We learn to cut corners just to get through the day. Not surprisingly, often the first place we make compromises is in the healthy meal department, because healthy lunches can require some time and effort to prepare. But they don't have to.

Overcome obstacles to healthy eating

Packing a healthy school lunch can seem daunting at first. Many parents worry that their kids will dump most of their lunch because they don't like what's been packed. Plus they have to compete with the ever-growing tide of fast-food choices, sometimes even in our kids' school cafeterias.

Take heart: Packing the ultimate healthy lunch box is absolutely possible. Remember to keep it simple and include your child in the process. Good eating habits begin at home and are put to the test at school. The best way to fight unhealthy food choices is to teach your children good habits at home from the get-go.

5 Healthy back-to-school lunch tips

When packing a healthy school lunch, follow these basic rules.

Don't pack "gotcha!" foods

It's important for your kids to try new foods at home long before you put it them in their lunch boxes -- if you surprise them at school with a new food choice, they'll most likely toss it without even trying it! Make sure that your child is familiar with the foods you're packing before you pack them. Help them develop a taste for healthier foods at home -- then they will be more likely to eat those foods rather than "trade" them for something they find at school.

Teach them well

Kids learn best by example. Eat a variety of healthy foods at home and take your kids grocery shopping while teaching them about fresh fruits and vegetables. Teach them how these foods are grown and where they come from. Engage them in the process of choosing their own healthy lunch snacks.

Make it easy on yourself

Want to compete with quick and easy junk food? The secret is to make healthy foods just as quick and easy as junk food. Plan different healthy lunch options in advance, when you have more time to think. Make bulk meals on Sundays that will last throughout the week. You can even have your child help you cook the dish on Sunday night before the week gets busy. Discard any choices that take too much time to prepare and keep the ones that you can do quickly without stress.

Go natural and fresh

Read labels -- but don't worry (too much) about calories, fats, and sugars. Sure, these are important, but if you start adding more natural choices and less processed foods, then you're already ahead of the game. Make gradual but steady changes -- this way, your child is more likely to accept them.

Get involved!

Collectively, most public schools are making a better effort to provide healthier choices for their students, but don't take this at face value. Schools usually have a website that provides nutritional information on daily lunch options. If your school doesn't offer this feature, insist they create one. Become familiar with the cafeteria food options and don't be afraid to speak up if you disagree. Several schools have responded to parents' concerns about healthier food choices. Ask for a salad bar with fresh fruits and vegetables. Several schools have installed these at the request of parents and students, with excellent results.

More healthy back to school tips!

5 Tips for having the healthiest school year yet
Healthy kids: Back-to-school nutrition basics
Tips for a stress-free back-to-school season