One of the best ways to save money is to pack your kid’s lunch. Not only is it cheap, it’s a good way to make sure your kids are getting quality food.

Registered dietician Kylie Bentley, with H-E-B, has some easy, cheap, nutritious lunch ideas about how to keep lunch fresh and costs down.

“I like to tell parents to always start out with a healthy carbohydrate, something whole grain,” Bentley said. “You want to look for something that has 100 percent whole wheat flower.”

That can include anything from bagels to pita bread to crackers, but Bentley says to keep it interesting, because kids get bored pretty easily.

“You definitely want to include some vegetable in there,” Bentley said. “You can get the individual little packets of carrots if that makes it easier for you, so you don’t have to cut them up and bag them yourself.”

Bentley said every kid likes at least one vegetable, so keeping that one on hand is a sure way to add some natural nutrients to your kid’s diet.

“Try to introduce new ones consistently and kids will pick up a new vegetable that they like, so just keep trying,” she said.

Proteins are also important to a well-balanced meal.

“The protein is what’s going to help keep them satisfied throughout the day and keep their blood sugar stay stable, keep their energy levels up and keep them focused on school,” she said.

Lean lunch meat, like turkey, should do the trick. If the child is not big on meat, cheese sticks, tuna and cottage cheese will work.

Finally, including a treat will keep your kid happy, however small serving sizes are preferable.

“Try to find something that has some nutritional value to it, like a piece of fruit or a yogurt, so you’re still instilling some form of nutrition into their days,” she said.

Source: news8austin.com