Packing a lunch that is both healthy and appealing to children can often pose a challenge, and with back-to-school season now here, that is top of mind for many parents. A healthy lunch is important for kids during their school day as it can affect their learning, but registered dietitian Angela Dufour says many kids are missing out on important nutrients. “In Canada we know that one in four teen girls and one in 10 kids are actually not getting enough iron, enough nutrients, vitamin B12, zinc, protein,” said Dufour in an interview with CTV News Atlantic’s Maria Panopalis. “The Canadian Paediatric (Society) says if kids are low or deficient in iron it can affect mood and learning.” Dufour says when packing their kids’ lunch, parents should focus on food that is packed with nutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and protein. “We can’t forget about the quality proteins. So, beef, chicken, eggs, and dairy are another easy way for them to get that in,” she said. “Iron deficiency is a prevalent thing right now in adolescents and young kids so really trying to pack in really good iron sources, especially for active kids. Same with protein, protein needs for active kids doubles, so if they’re at school and after school programs for the majority of the day, we have to make sure they’re getting those quality sources of protein in,” she said. Many parents struggle with their kids only eating the sweets or snacks from their lunchboxes, which means they’re missing out on those important nutrients. Dufour recommends numbering the lunches by what should be eaten first. “If you’re packing a bento box or little individual portions, which again takes some time to eat, start with what you want them to get first, so prioritize ‘this is the first one,’ number it number one,” she said.
