What Did You Pack?-- A Lunchbox Lesson

It's almost back to school time! (Insert cheers &/or groans as needed.) Packing lunches for the whole family can be a great way to encourage healthy eating, improve school or work performance, & save money. However, it can sometimes lead to feelings ranging from boredom to queasiness.

Feeling sick? A Texas study found an alarming number of pre-school lunches with foods outside of their safe temperature ranges. This can allow bacteria to flourish, foods to spoil, & make people sick. Young kids & older folks are much more sensitive. Washing your hands before packing or eating the lunch is also a great habit.
- Fight BAC's Pack a Safe Lunch 101
- CNN The Chart's Secret For a Safe Kid's Lunch

In a rut? Check out these websites for meal packing inspiration:
- Parenting's 15 Nut-Free Lunch Recipes & Snacks
- Diabetic Foodie's Packable Lunches for Kids & Adults
- EatingWell's Quick Light Lunches
- Food Network's Healthy Lunch Recipes
- Epicurious' Back to School Lunch Ideas

Now is also a great time to learn more about nutrition at Choose My Plate. Get a refresher on food categories (MyPlate); specialized nutrition info by age (Audience); plus recipes, food plans, tips for eating on a budget, etc.