kscoblick@sbcglobal.net

Michelle noticed her 4 year old preschooler was eating only his desert and drinking his juice for lunch. His sandwich and fruit were still in his lunch pack after the first day and she told him, “Eat the foods that help you grow first, and then you may have your treat.” She explained that his sandwich and apple are his grow foods. The next day the same thing happened. His sandwich and fruit were uneaten. Wednesday came and she packed only his sandwich. He ate his sandwich.

Back to school challenges are sometimes exacerbated for parents with finicky eaters. What’s for lunch? He refuses to eat the school lunch and when you pack one, he only eats a couple of bites. It is frustrating when your child is not getting what he needs nutritionally to make it through the day. However, do what you can. If he only eats his fruit, then pack extra fruit. If he only eats his granola bar, then make sure you are buying the healthiest version of that on the market. Look for whole grains, nuts for protein, cane sugar or any other real natural sugar. Pack some fruit or carrot sticks that he may munch on too. If he only eats a tortilla, then make it whole grain. Take the time to sit down with your child and make a list of everything he does like, and create a list of lunches you can make that he agrees he’ll eat. Do not give in to chips because “that’s all he’ll eat.” We still have boundaries.

"And God said, 'See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food'" Genesis 1:29

Do the best you can for lunch, and concentrate on the meals and snacks that you can prepare for him and that he’ll eat at home. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Use the “plate” method in your meal planning. For breakfast that means that ½ the plate is protein, ½ grains, and has a cup of milk and ½ cup of fruit. What a great start to anybody’s day! If you are in a hurry, try healthy “fast” foods. If you do not have many processed foods in your pantry you will find a new fast. For example, instead of toaster tarts, toast whole wheat bread and butter it (or spread peanut butter on it, or put cheese on it). Grab a piece of fruit and you are out the door! Even a handful of nuts and a piece of fruit are fast. Make homemade banana nut muffins and keep them in the freezer until you need one fast! It is a healthier choice.

Pack a healthy snack. During school providing healthy foods is the way to go. “Treats” for mid morning snack as a norm may require some changes. By definition a “treat” is something that is a special delight or pleasure. The mass marketing of junk food targeting our children provokes our children to beg, nag and cry until we buy them the junk they see their friends have so that “treats” are the norm.

After mid morning snack comes lunch. Cross your fingers! Set forth your expectations of your child. “First you eat the foods that help you grow.” Ask him to choose white milk most days! Set your boundaries, whatever they are.

After school snack is a crucial nutritional opportunity. Kids come home hungry and ready to eat. Some days it is fun to give into the traditional milk and cookies, but on many days make a sandwich, have part of their dinner made and give them the full meal (sometimes they are that hungry!), give them a sweet potato, corn on the cob, some grilled chicken from last night’s leftovers, or prepare a fruit and veggie tray for them to munch on. We can all agree that we want the best for our kids, and getting healthy foods into them is one of the most rewarding feelings a mom can have. Believe it or not, one day, your child will actually eat all of his lunch!

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
--- Mark 11:24

Copyright Kathryn Scoblick

www.HealthyFUNday.com