It’s not everyday that a celebrity cooking show host makes your lunch, but for children in the New York City public school system, it may become a regular thing. In fact, just last week, about 400,000 students enjoyed a Rachael Ray-created chicken taco lunch. The initiative was launched by Ray’s nonprofit Yum-o!, which contacted the Department of Education to work together in serving up healthier fare.

Getting kids to eat healthy is becoming more of a priority these days, but I can tell you from experience, it’s a challenge when you have a picky eater on your hands. Programs like this that introduce fun, healthy foods are a great step toward getting children to eat things other than fat-laden chicken nuggets and french fries. We try to apply the same ideas at home, trying approaches like cutting the food in  fun shapes or offering dipping sauces to get them to eat their veggies, but for school, it’s a tad more challenging.

Because my son is only in kindergartenI have to pack lunch, and there’s not much he’ll eat. For the last two weeks it’s been bagels with butter. I know, I know… not the best choice, but at least it’s something. He just won’t do sandwiches, and the teachers don’t want us sending in “complicated” lunches so things like soup are out. We tried rolled up turkey, diced cheese, and crackers for a while, but he left 90 percent of it. The only thing healthy I can sneak in occasionally is sliced apples, applesauce cups, or when he’s in the mood, carrot sticks.

I think he will do better with hot lunch options (which he’ll get next year). I can’t wait! And how cool will it be if he gets to try out recipes from Rachael Ray?

Lunch packers, how do you get your kids to eat healthy at school (or eat at all!)?

0 COMMENTS

Add your own