Nebraska dieticians give tips for packing healthy lunches as kids go back to school

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Over 40% of students bring their lunch to school, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service.

As they return to classrooms, building habits of healthy eating and packing lunches with nutritious ingredients can have a positive impact on their day.

Clinical dietician Rachel Thiemann of Bryan Health encourages parents to include sources of protein like chicken, tuna or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

You can get creative in combining foods, such as apples and peanut butter and cheese with whole grain crackers, to make sure your child gets all the right nutrients.

Hannah Guenther, a food, nutrition and health extension educator at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln also suggests packing your child’s lunch the night before to take the stress out of the morning.

They also recommend grocery shopping with your child and having them help pack their own lunch, especially if they’re picky eaters.

“Whether that’s trying a new fruit or vegetable each week to give them some ownership so they will pick something they will actually eat,” Thiemann said.