Worried that your teenager is not consuming healthy food or might be making unhealthy choices when it comes to cafeteria food? Then, this is just one of the 5 reasons to pack lunch for teenagers!  For parents, concern for their kids is a long term issue and it only doubles when they become teens! It is no wonder that I agreed with my sister-in-law when she decided to start packing food for her son! I am sure you will agree with me once you go through this list of 5 reasons to pack lunch for teenagers!

Reason 1

Control your teenager’s diet:

Often, once your teen stops taking packed lunches, it is only natural that there food habits tend to worsen. Even though cafeterias all over the country are focusing on getting healthier food into the menu sometimes teens tend to do with a pizza or any unhealthy option available. Also, occassionally they even tend to skip lunch altogether. With the You really need to get some control back into your hands and this can be done best by ensuring that you send them healthy packed lunches! Also as a parent you can determine what all ingredients go into the food that your teen consumes.

Reason 2

Variety for the week –Don’t you remember the times that cafeteria food was hated because of how monotonous it can get. The same goes for your teens and so it wouldn’t hurt to sent a bottle of delicious homemade milk shake or other easy to carry healthy food like crisp apples or some yummy chicken soup. These would definitely be a welcome change.

Reason 3

Your teen needs energy and nutrients- Teenage years are the most detrimental phase of one’s mental and physical growth. It is because of this that you have to make sure that the nutrition and energy requirements of your teenager are met with at any cost. Plan their lunch depending on their schedules, for example if they have a big game  or a  special night planned then prepare lunch that combines lean protein with carbohydrates so that they have more energy packed into their system.

Reason 4

Save your cash! - Your teen can save on their allowance and help you save some money if you send him or her packed lunch. This is because food in hand means there is no temptation to get off the campus and get their hands on fast-food, chocolate or other useless junk food.

Reason 5

Helps Parent- Teen Bonding – Believe it or not, food helps! Packing lunch might just help you stay connected to your teen, who might be seeming more aloof with each passing day. The best way to go about this lunch thing is by first consulting them about what they would like to have. Often they can be particular about the food they carry and especially what they carry it in. They obviously wouldn’t want to look like preschool kids carrying their mini lunch boxes around. Be sensitive to their needs and strike a balance with your need to give them healthy food. Pack lunch that is easy to eat and does not get messy. Once in a while give into their whole unhealthy junk food deal too..come on ..that is what is called a compromise!:-)!

Tips

A good quantity of fruits or a mix of dried fruit and nuts or sunflower -seeds, vegetables, complex carbohydrates like wholegrain bread, whole-grain pretzels, low-fat cheese or even a bagful of baby carrots and yogurt dip are a few other lunch ideas.

Calzones and spring rolls with healthy fillings or pizzas with healthy topping are also options you can entertain. You can use fillers like peanut butter, cheese, meat, hummus, tofu, greens, vegetables and eggs.

Sandwiches, burrito-type "wraps," salads, rice bowls, smoothies as well as power bars, fruit bars, or flavored yogurt can also light up your teens lunch!

Remember if you want to protect your child from eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia or obesity it is better to keep track of their eating habits and help as much as you can. Prevention is better than cure. 

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