Getting your kids to eat well-balanced meals is difficult, but what they consume at home in Orem over summer break can have a major effect on their Oral Health. Preparing school lunches for your kids gives you some say over what they consume throughout the day, and it’s important to keep up the healthy lunch practice even when they’re home for break. It might be challenging for today’s busy families to prepare nutritious, well-balanced meals for their children, but the effort is well worth it.
When the kids are out from school this summer, here are some quick and healthy lunch ideas for oral health they’ll eat.
Bringing a Whole New Level of Enjoyment to Meals Prepared at Home
During the school year, your children may not enjoy eating the raw carrot sticks you’ve prepared in a Ziplock bag for them as a snack. Presentation is key when it comes to getting children to try new meals. Try these creative strategies to pique your kids’ interest in healthy meals that will make a difference in their lives.
Bento Boxes Aren’t Limited to the Lunch Room
Bento boxes are convenient for packing various nutritious and delicious items for your kid’s lunch because of how easily they can be assembled. Instead of the standard sandwich, you may give your youngster a variety of colorful and interesting selections.
If you’re looking to spice things up, try packing the following items, and use websites like Pinterest as a resource for further ideas.
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Fresh fruit
- Cheese cubes
- Deli meats
- Bell peppers
- Diced chicken
- Yogurt drops
- Raisins
Sandwiches with a Modern Twist
Your sandwich-making abilities may be elevated to the next level by using a rolling pin to flatten standard sliced bread that has been stuffed with lean lunch meats such as turkey, leafy greens, sliced vegetables, and cheese. This will give your sandwiches a more substantial appearance. Then, for a creative twist on the classic sandwich, wrap it up like a sushi roll and slice it into bite-sized pieces.
Types of Food to Eat and Not Eat
Convenient alternatives like pudding cups, chips, and crackers are popular among children since they need little preparation. However, what’s easy to get a hold of isn’t necessarily the ideal choice.
Ideally, a snack wouldn’t be too high in carbs, wouldn’t stick to your teeth, and would be consumed rapidly. Make sure your children always have access to nutritious, on-the-go snack alternatives by preparing a variety of selections ahead of time.
Here are some tasty pre-made meals to consider:
- Raw, crunchy vegetables
- Raw, leafy vegetables
- Fresh fruits
- Whole grains
- Yogurt
- Smoothies
- Cheese
- Nuts
- Nut butter
- Lunchmeat rolls
- Iced non-caffeinated tea
- Hard-boiled eggs
Furthermore, the following foods should be avoided:
- Candy
- Soda
- Juice
- Cookies
- Dried fruit
- Fruit snacks
- Pretzels
- Crackers
Choose Healthy Beverages as much as Possible
The evidence that sugary drinks are bad for your teeth is overwhelming. Tooth decay is mostly caused by sugar, and for many children, soft drinks are the single biggest sugar source in their diets. Fruit juice, even the kind your kid loves, might be just as unhealthy as soda. The greatest way to ensure your kids stay hydrated is to teach them to appreciate water from an early age. Water is the best bet if uncertainty arises. If your children have already shown boredom with water, you can substitute non-caffeinated tea for juice in a big glass pitcher and store it in the refrigerator. This little hack gives their water a little taste without adding any sweeteners.
Get in touch with Canyon Gate Dental immediately to set up your kid’s semiannual cleaning and checkup for the summer.
