Sacred Heart - Inspiring Health

A Flower- themed Bento Box for the First Day of School Try this bento box recipe for a nutritious start to the school year. INGREDIENTS ¾ ounces of cheddar cheese ½ whole-wheat bagel thin 1 hardboiled egg ½ cup sliced strawberries 6 baby carrots DIRECTIONS Lay the whole-wheat bagel thin in the largest bento box compartment. Cut the hardboiled egg into four pieces, and lay the pieces on the bagel thin in the shape of a flower. Cut the cheese into star shapes, place on top of the egg, and fill the remaining compartments with the baby carrots, strawberries, and cheddar cheese slices. NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION Makes one serving Calories: 241.9 Fat: 12.7g Cholesterol: 262.5mg Sodium: 345.4mg Fiber: 4.6g Protein: 16g Carbohydrates: 19.8g AS ANOTHER SCHOOL YEAR APPROACHES, DITCH THE TRADITIONAL LUNCH SACK AND GIVE THE BENTO BOX A TRY. A JAPANESE TRADITION, bento boxes are multicompartment containers that include separate sections for each part of your child's meal. Originally designed to hold meat, rice, and pickled vegetables, bento boxes are a unique alternative to traditional lunch boxes because they allow parents to easily fill compartments with staples from each food group. "Serving lunch in portioned containers, such as bento boxes, is helpful because it promotes parental awareness of both portion size and good nutrition," says Heather Krieger, Registered Dietitian at HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital. "Packing a bento box is also a great way to let young kids explore foods' different textures and to teach kids of all ages about sensible portions, so they know what their bodies need for healthy growth and development." QUICK TIPS FOR FUN BENTO BOX MEALS Traditional Japanese bento box meals are designed to be cute. Employing a little creativity to make your child's bento box colorful and fun—foods cut into shapes or small sandwiches designed to look like animals—can capture the attention of young children and picky eaters who may be reluctant to try new foods. Krieger recommends giving bento boxes a theme and enlisting your child's help to create inventive bento boxes they will enjoy eating. Try using cookie cutters to cut cheese and breads into fun shapes or make fruit kabobs. For a complete, wholesome meal, make sure each bento box contains a serving of fruits, vegetables, protein, whole grains, and dairy. String cheese, cheese cubes, berries, slices of colorful fruits and vegetables, hardboiled eggs, lunch meat, peanut butter, crackers, pretzels, and slices of whole-wheat bread are all healthy bento box options. RETHINKING THE LUNCH BOX Preparing balanced meals is just one component of overall wellness. For more health and wellness tips for the entire family, visit gochippewavalley.com. 1 4 I N S P I R I N G H E A LT H

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