5 simple rules to a healthier lunch box

With so many studies, warnings, books and so forth out there on nutrition and eating well it can become quite overwhelming. I decided to simplify basic nutrition for those of you just starting to learn more about nutrition and packing healthy lunches.

1) Choose whole foods
Try to include whole foods over packaged items in your lunch boxes as often as you can.
Packaged foods typically have preservatives and lots of sodium as well as other ingredients that most of us can't even pronounce. Whole foods are..well, whole! Bananas, grapes, lettuce, walnuts, chicken, tuna, and brown rice are examples.

2) Add some yogurt, milk, or cheese
Dairy products are important for good nutrition as well. If you cannot tolerate milk products try soy milk instead. I have terrible issues with milk so I stick to soy milk and yogurts myself which also has the added benefit of being a good source of protein as well.

3) Send along fruits and vegetables
Pack a serving of fruit as well as vegetables in your lunch boxes everyday. This could be a whole apple, or various fruits and vegetables mixed in a salad, etc..Just get some fresh produce in that lunch box.

4) Whole grains
Slowly start to switch over from refined carbs to whole grain.
Refined carbs would include white rice, white bread, sugar, and so on.
The closer a food is to it's natural state  the better it is for you to eat.
Go for whole grain breads, bagels, wraps..
Healthy snack mixes made with nuts, seeds, and grains.

5) Avoid Soda and Drink Boxes
Try to stick with healthier drink options such as milk, vegetable juice/tomato juice, 100% whole juices, iced teas, and water. There's plenty of great reusable bottles and thermoses available. Find bpa, pvc, and lead free water bottles at amazon.

So there ya go, the basics to packing a healthy lunch box for yourself, your spouse, or your kiddos!

Further Reading
10 tips for preschooler lunches- LunchSaks.com
10 reasons to pack your lunch- LunchSaks.com