So let me weigh in on packing lunches once again! This is just my personal. opinion backed up by many years of classroom experience with young children. I am not a huge fan of prepackaged items for preschoolers lunches and even up until 2nd grade I don't think they should have prepackaged food. Even prepackaged food provides a serving that is too large for most small children and then they just throw away what they don't eat. There are some great healthy prepackaged foods on the market, so I don't want to discount it 100%. I know you can totally visualize this in your head...grocery shopping with your children. Every aisle you go down they want brand XYZ that has picture of a Disney princess or a Toy Story character or Sponge Bob (cringe!) on it. "Please, Please, Please buy it for me!!" Eventually you cave and buy brand XYZ with the cartoon character on it. Let me tell you a little secret. Your child does not want that particular item because it is so yummy (and it might be delicious) they want it because they have been "brainwashed" ( I use that term very lightly, so don't get all crazy upset). Children's television programming has been saturated with commercials for this item or that item using cartoon characters or even candy to elude your child into asking you to buy it for them. GENIUS! The only problem is the food they are marketing is not very healthy for your child's growth and brain development (if they would only slap Snow White on a package of apples or broccoli! Right? Here's to hoping....). Instead the food is loaded in salt, nitrates, sugar (did you know sugar suppresses the immune system for 6 hours after consumption?), dyes and fat. I am not saying eliminate these items from your household, just cut back. You will also save a ton of money.
So now what? I am not going to leave you hanging..... I have a solution to giving your child healthy delicious food and also giving them fun food in character themed packaging. You ready for it??? Purchase character themed bags and containers instead. I have a few pictures to show you what I am talking about...
I picked these up at the 99 cent store
And if you want to be more green, you can use containers. You can buy the some like the ones below or you can just buy regular Glad reusable containers and put fun character stickers on them. Your children will LOVE this and it makes for great lunch conversations.....
Please comment below and let me know what you think....
