Millions of parents around the world send their children to meet knowledge every day. And every day they, for sure, are faced with a very difficult dilemma: what to give the child to school for a snack. Indeed, in order for the child to absorb the necessary school curriculum as best as possible, he must be full and enjoy not only the pleasure of eating, as is often the case when eating chocolates or other sweets, but also useful, and most importantly - nutrients. They help the brain to work better, and the child in the classroom becomes more attentive.
How to eat right. Do I need a snack at school?
Why give meals to children with them to school? Everyone has long known that three meals a day is mandatory for both children and adults. But a child at school is better to have an extra snack. This will help him recover his strength spent on lessons and successfully continue his studies. Ideally, a snack is best done after the second or third lesson. It was at this time that the child was already starting to get a little tired and feeling hungry.
Foods for a snack should be useful, because food at school is very important, but there is hardly a child who loves something really healthy. Therefore, parents will have to find something that your child will certainly eat and, of course, will benefit from it.
Tasty and healthy
Fruit . Perhaps this is the first thing that comes to mind when you decide what to give your child to school for a snack. Apples, pears, apricots, tangerines, peaches, plums and bananas are best. They will not be remembered in a portfolio, which means they will not be able to stain textbooks and notebooks. In addition, they will not spray juice in different directions, and the child will not be able to get dirty.
Vegetables . All of them are certainly useful. But not all children will be delighted with such a snack. Therefore, if you choose something from vegetables, then think about carrots, cucumbers or sweet peppers. Vegetables are best combined with other foods. You won’t be full of one carrot.
Dairy products . This is almost a classic school snack. Drinking yogurt, curd, tender cheese or just milk. Very healthy and tasty. Among other things, you can give your child cottage cheese. It contains a huge amount of various nutrients. In addition, this is a very satisfying product. And if you add a little fruit there (apples, bananas, kiwi or something else), you get a very nutritious and tasty snack. Dairy products are proteins and calcium, and, as you know, it is simply impossible to do without them. But it’s important to remember one main rule: do not keep dairy products warm for a long time! It will deteriorate, and the child may be poisoned.
Dried fruits and nuts . This is loved by many children. And this is very good, since these products saturate the body and brain with a powerful charge of energy, as well as useful vitamins. Even 50 grams is enough for a child to make his head work better. Such a snack is suitable for those who always do not sit still and are not ready to spend the whole change on food.
Baking Well, who does not like to indulge in buns? Children love these goodies, especially when it comes to homemade cakes. Such goodies can also be useful for the child. They contain carbohydrates, which are very necessary for a growing organism. In addition, any bun for a long time drowns the feeling of hunger in your child.
Dark Chocolate Do not wonder. Although it’s chocolate, it’s far more useful than many people think. It is an excellent source of glucose and amino acids that help improve memory. In addition, dark chocolate contains magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and zinc. So feel free to put a chocolate bar in the bag of your child, if he, of course, is not averse to eating it. After all, dark chocolate is very bitter. And, unfortunately, not all children love him.
Drink . Do not forget about water. It is best if the child takes with him a bottle of mineral water. If your child does not really like plain water, then give him some tea in a thermos, compote, juice or fruit drink.
About the benefits of meat
Meat. Of course, this is one of the most important food at school. Meat is a very valuable source of a huge amount of useful and necessary substances for the children's body.
Animal protein is the foundation of good health and a faithful helper for muscles, bones, joints and tendons. Also an important component in meat are fats. They are saturated with all kinds of useful vitamins and acids. But it is very important to remember that all animal fats have very different nutritional values. Among other things, meat contains a large amount of minerals that are essential for the body to amino acids and vitamins (especially group B).
Pork is suitable for replenishing zinc and magnesium. Veal contains vitamins C and B vitamins, as well as potassium, cobalt, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper and magnesium. Lamb will help avoid diabetes and take care of your baby’s digestive system. But for children, chicken is best. She is the least fat, the lowest calorie and diet. Among other things, it contains vitamin B6, magnesium, iron, potassium, protein, glutamine and a lot of protein.
What should not be given to a child for a snack?
Many parents, seeking to please their children, render them a disservice. Do not indulge the child in everything. Better calmly explain to him that crackers or chips are not the best snacking options. In addition to them, there is a whole list of products that you do not need to give your child to school.
Chocolate or any other sweets. Not only that, most likely they just melt right in the portfolio. So they also do not carry any benefit in themselves. Completely satisfy the hunger for sweet will not work. The child will want to eat as much as possible. And this can already lead to diabetes.
To give a child a sandwich to school is not the best idea when it comes to sausage sandwiches. They can stale and deteriorate. Such a snack threatens poisoning and does not contribute to the receipt of useful and nutrients.
Cookies are also not always suitable. No harm from him, but also of little use. In addition, the main problem is that cookies can crumble and stain a backpack or other things.
Baking from the store can do a lot of trouble. Therefore, you should not give it, unless you take various buns in the same place. Otherwise, it is better to choose something else.
The most hearty and healthy snack option
A child can make a sandwich at school if only healthy, and most importantly, fresh products are used. Let me remind you again, sausage is our enemy! But cheeses, vegetables and meat will help to make a very tasty and nutritious sandwich.
Sandwich with salad. Take two slices of whole grain bread. Put lettuce, fresh tomato rings, mozzarella slices and parsley on each of them. It will be a very healthy snack.
Sandwich with meat. Boil the meat (preferably chicken) and cut into small pieces. Put it on bread, add any vegetables and greens on top. For a change, you can pour a sandwich with tomato sauce.
Another option: you can take a burger roll and make your child a very useful “cheeseburger”. Put a slice of cheese on the bread or brush it with cheese sauce and herbs. Then add the meatball (it is better to take minced beef). Then it all depends on the tastes of the child. You can add an egg, onion or something else. And despite the fact that it is almost a cheeseburger, try to do without ketchup or mayonnaise. They are harmful to adults. What can we say about the children's body.
Instead of bread, you can use pita bread. In this case, you can make a sandwich to school for the child in the form of a roll. Lavash pita bread with butter or dressing made of cream cheese and greens. Put ham, chicken or other meat (you can chop it finely or in small pieces). For satiety, you can add potatoes and tomatoes.
You can make a couple of hot sandwiches. As a filling, cheese and salmon are suitable. It will be very tasty and healthy.
Tasty lunch box idea.
In order not to rack your brains for a long time over all kinds of options for a hearty and healthy snack, you can use the ready-made set. First of all, choose one of the sandwiches from those proposed above. Add vegetables and fruits, cheesecakes, pancakes, dark chocolate, nuts, dried fruits, and of course tea, water or juice. So you will get not just a snack, but a full breakfast or lunch for your child. The main thing is to learn how to combine products. Everything should be in moderation and in equal amounts.
Snack at school for a little vegetarian
Immediately it is worth noting that if you are a vegetarian, then do not forbid anything to your child. If he wants to try, then do not refuse him. Let him decide whether he needs to eat only as parents or not.
To begin with, let's deal with concepts. As you know, there are vegetarians, and there are vegans. Vegan is not some kind of swearing, but simply a more strict form of vegetarianism. If the latter allow themselves to be limited only to meat, then vegans do not consume animal products at all. Many believe that for children this is too much. But vegetarianism can even improve the body. But still, such things are best negotiated with the doctor. Suddenly it turns out that your child is vital meat.
If your child still doesn’t eat meat, then you need to think about what kind of food a vegetarian should give the child to school.
In fact, there is nothing complicated. There are many options for giving your child a meal in school. You can offer the student any vegetables (potatoes, beets, carrots, white cabbage, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, cauliflower), dairy products, or make a sandwich with yeast-free bread. All the same nuts and fruits (apples, bananas, pears, tangerines, dates, raisins, oranges) are also suitable. Almost no difference.
The benefits of school canteens. Prices
Everyone has long known that each school has its own dining room where children go. There, a child can have breakfast, lunch and even dinner, if the school has an extension. In most schools, such services are paid. But they are very useful. Firstly, by paying for food in the dining room, you will always know that your child will not remain hungry. Secondly, school canteens often undergo various checks and cases of poisoning in them are very rare. Well, and thirdly, you do not have to think anymore about what to cook for school for lunch.
If you still decide to use the school cafeteria, then it will certainly be interesting and useful for you to find out how much lunch at school costs. It should be noted right away that all schools have different prices. Since it all depends on the area in which you live. Therefore, the average price will be presented here.
The cost of breakfast for elementary school students is 73.75 rubles (368.75 rubles per week); for grades 5-11, 79.95 rubles (399.75 rubles per week). The cost of lunch for students in grades 1-4 is 129.75 rubles (648.75 rubles per week), for 5-11 grades - 147.29 rubles (736.45 rubles per week). There will be much more per month, so it will be cheaper to give food with you. In addition, not all school canteens boast truly delicious lunches and breakfasts.
Not everyone is willing to pay that kind of money. Therefore, it is important to know how to refuse lunch at school. While the child is in the classroom, the school is responsible for his health. And good health is, first and foremost, proper nutrition. If you intend to refuse school breakfasts and lunches, then notify your class teacher. No one has the right to refuse you or demand money for food. No documents need to be issued, since lunch at school is everyone’s personal choice. It is enough to promise that you will not leave your child hungry, and do not forget to give something to your child for school for a snack.
Preferential food for low-income families
All educational institutions can provide free meals at school for the poor. Or at least a discount on food. Any region independently determines the categories of citizens who can count on free meals at school. Parents need to find out all the data in the guardianship and trusteeship authorities or in the department of social protection of the population at the place of residence.
What to wear food?
As soon as you decide what to give your child to school with food, you will have another question. And what will be more convenient to carry all this food? Packages will definitely not work. They can only carry fruits or vegetables, any other products will be hopelessly spoiled. Sandwiches will turn into porridge, and not one child will not want to eat this. Yes, and I do not want to give the child an extra bag when he is already loaded with a backpack and replaceable shoes. For such cases, special and very convenient food containers for children to school are great.
With drink, everything is clear. Here, either an ordinary bottle of water or a thermos for a hot drink. But the food can be folded into a lunch box. This is a very convenient container. Choose light and comfortable, as well as roomy, if your child really loves a bite to eat. Do not use thin and disposable polycarbonate containers. They are uncomfortable for young children.
In addition to simple containers, there are those that have a cooling bag. It has many advantages. Firstly, it can be used several times. Secondly, you can definitely be sure that your student will not like spoiled foods.
Now you know exactly what to give your child to school for a snack, and most importantly, what is the purpose of this snack. Remember: the choice is yours. You can use the services of the school cafeteria or prepare food yourself, you can put only fruits or vegetables in the child’s portfolio, or you can collect a full breakfast or lunch for him. Take care of your children, because proper nutrition is the key to good health.