Packing a homemade lunch or buying a school lunch? Which way is better for your child’s health? Buying a school lunch empowers your child and allows them to buy the lunch they want. Which builds character and inexpedience but will they make the right choices?

The school cafeteria systems have improved over the years and provide a relatively healthy menu for the kids. However many of the foods still exceed recommendations for fat and there are many bad choices to be made. Think about all the vending machines and the delicious items on the a la carte menu. Have you taught your children the healthy things to buy?

One of the problems of our modern day world is parents don't spend enough time with their kids. Run here run there do this do that, there's never time to sit down with the kids. The best time is mealtime, every one sits down at the table and talks about their day. Another good time is to include your child in making their lunch.

This is a great opportunity to have a one on one with each child or make it a group thing with all your kids. By including them they get to help build their lunch and learn the healthy choices to make. This is a great system to start in elementary school and teach them an eye for healthy choices. As they get older have them bring the school menu home and go over it with them. Let them pick the lunch they would like and guide them if they make poor choices.

So you say... what should you pack in a school lunch?

1. Be creative- You don't want to pack the same lunch every day or the kids will resort to "Trade and Toss", that will break down the system fast. Use different bread every so often. Whole grain one day, French the next, raisin, oatmeal, cinnamon. Make it fun, the kids will look forward to the time they spend with you.

2. Add some green- some lettuce, cucumber, or spinach leafs are healthy and adds crunch to the lunch. Celery, thinly sliced apples or shredded carrots will make it interesting too!

3. Hot foods- What about those cold winter days? Hearty soups, baked beans, leftovers from dinner can be packed into a thermos and make the chill go away.

4. Balance is the goal- You'll want to include as many of the food groups as you can. Many kids consume up to half of their daily calories at school. If you can fit some fruit, vegetables, grains, meat/nuts and dairy into their lunch pail you’re doing good!

Remember, times are getting tough and programs are being cut! If you not sure what is being cut in your schools system, the question of "Packing a Home Lunch or Buying a School Lunch?" becomes a big question when it comes to your child’s health.