- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- recipes today articles
- recipes today q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Nutrition in a Box
What to Pack in Your Child's Lunchbox for Good Health and Learning
"Children eat their weight in a year or so in various food additives, artificial sweeteners and sulfites. "Children eat their weight in a year or so in various food additives, artificial sweeteners and sulfites," says Dr. Cass Ingram, natural remedies expert and author of How to Eat Right and Live Longer (Knowledge House Press, 2001) and Natural Cures for Killer Germs (Knowledge House Press, 2004). "It's no surprise they are plagued with various ailments."
So what does the doctor say you should put in your child's lunchbox?
- Peanuts/peanut butter – This tasty staple, which has been around for years, has essential fatty acids necessary for promoting normal brain function and development. It's best to use a kind with minimal additives.
- Hard-boiled egg – Provides much-needed protein for a child's growing body and strengthens the immune system, which means fewer sick days.
- Yogurt with honey – Rather than going for the yogurt loaded with sugar and food coloring, give your child a dose of plain yogurt, known to enhance the digestion of other foods, with a little honey, known to have antibiotic qualities.
- Soups with spices – Especially on those cold winter days, soup
Want to see more?