So, if their tablemate at school lunch likes the vegetable casserole, they may be tempted to try it, too. One of the real advantages of school lunch is that it creates an opportunity for children to try new or different foods than they might eat at home, said Sandy Procter, K-State Research and Extension nutrition educator. National standards for school lunches emphasize nutrition that is important to growth, development and good health. Most school food services also are now offering school breakfasts studies have shown that eating breakfast can help children concentrate on schoolwork, not hunger. Breakfast also provides energy to fuel morning activities, she said.
Some children do, however, still prefer familiar foods from home.
Either will work, but parents are encouraged to make breakfast a habit for the whole family. The same is true for lunch. Kids who say they d like the same kind of sandwich every day may still be open to trying new juices, vegetable dips or leftovers. Kids like foods that have their own boxes or wrappers it makes them feel like they are getting something special. Setting up a snack station can help kids re-fuel without consuming empty calories that may cause them to overlook more healthful foods at mealtime.