For me, chips have always been the default go-to for sandwiches or lunch in general, but as the new school year approaches I’ve been trying to re-think and re-plan what goes into my kids’ lunch boxes. Sure, they’ll still get a small bag of chips now and then, but I’m going substitute one of the below ideas several times a week as well!

~ Fresh fruit and vegetables. This one always seems to be at the top of the list for chip replacements, and for good reason. Fresh fruit and vegetables not only offer “healthier” calories, but they contain virtually no fat or processed sugars. This means they can load up on them at lunch time and still get the energy benefit for hours afterward. Veggies like carrot sticks, celery sticks, radishes, even broccoli and cauliflower are perfectly portable. Fruits like apples (if you cut them up, sprinkle with lemon juice to keep from browning), strawberries, bananas and grapes travel well too.

~ Pretzels and crackers. Baked carb snacks can help your child feel full, and since they’re not fried they don’t add a lot of unnecessary calories either.

~ Tortilla chips and salsa. Tortilla chips are also baked and have the satisfying crunch and light saltiness of regular fried potato chips. The salsa offers vegetables as well, and homemade salsa is even better!

~ Cheesesticks or yogurt. Unless your child gets some change to buy a carton of milk in the lunchroom, chances are they aren’t going to be getting any dairy in their lunch box (I’ve never been able to get a Thermos to keep milk above lukewarm!). Cheese sticks or a small reusable container filled with yogurt can fill the void, and fresh fruit in the yogurt can even act as a nutritious dessert, too.

What are your favorite non-chips foods to put in lunchboxes?

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

Healthy Alternatives to Lunchbox Chips

From the article:

More than 140 male contraception researchers from around the globe recently gathered in Seattle to discuss new alternatives to condoms and vasectomies. At the two-day “Future of Male Contraception” conference, whose sponsors included the World Health Organization, the University of Washington, and the National Institutes of Health, researchers unveiled a number of new viable birth control options for men, reports the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

What do you think? Is it about time, or are you fine with the current options for male contraception?

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

More Male Contraceptive Options?

But restaurant bans aside, there are still 10 nasty trans fat sources to watch out for, compiled by eDiets’ Julia Griggs Harvey. Here’s the short list:

1. Nonbutter spreads.
2. Packaged snack foods and mixes.
3. Soups.
4. Fast food.
5. Frozen foods.
6. Baked goods.
7. Chips and crackers.
8. Breakfast foods.
9. Cookies and candy.
10. Toppings and dips.

These categories aren’t automatically off limits — you just need to check the label to make sure you know what’s in them. Julia dishes the details right here.

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

Restaurants Move Toward Banning Trans Fats, but Here Are the 10 You Still Need to Watch Out For