With these tips, a healthy school lunch is in the bag

The coolest new backpack may top your child’s school shopping to-dolist, but sending your kids off with a healthy lunch probably tops yours.

Healthy lunch packing 101 starts with choosing a time when you really have time. Experts say the night before is best.

“It gives me more time to think about things, instead of trying to hurry the kids out the door and throw something together,” mom Blanche Mueller-Potter said.

Knowledge is power. Know what to buy.

“This is the new thing, what all the moms are talking about right now,” Mueller-Potter said about the new Capri Suns with not only fruits, butvegetables as well.

“Apples are a big thing because I’ve learned with apples there is more energy in one apple than in a cup of coffee,” Mueller-Potter said.

For the sweet-toothed candy cravers, nutritionist Amit Katz suggested this.

“Chop up a fruit salad. If you have five or six kids, apples are cheap, you chop them up, throw them in a fruit salad,” he said.

Experts said some healthy picks are string cheese, yogurt, fresh fruit, grape tomatoes, rice cakes with peanut butter, protein bars, and packing a thermos with leftovers from dinner.

It’s no secret healthy food costs more and takes longer to make. However, Mueller-Potter said you can beat the budget issue.

“If you buy the good healthy food, it’s going to hold the child over longer. If you buy the food that’s not as healthy, it’s not going to give them the nutrition they need to hold them over, so they’re going to want to eat more and more and more,” she said.

With careful planning, you can beat the time issue she also said.

“We just have to know where to put that time. For some people, that might be the afternoon, they’re kids are at school, they get to come home and have lunch. They can prepare a meal for their children for the next day at that time,” Mueller-Potter said.

Mueller-Potter and her friends have their shopping hot spots.

“Costco is a big deal. Target is a good place a lot of people shop at. I don’t shop at Winco, but I know a lot of moms do,” Mueller-Potter said.

When it comes time to pack up your kids’ lunch bags, at least try to put in some healthy alternatives. For example, instead of a juice box, try a mini water bottle. Instead of fruit snacks, try real fruit such as apple slices. Instead of goldfish or chips, try trail mix.

Finally, to top off any great lunch, a note “Have a great day! Love, Mom and Dad!” never hurts!