Health Watch is a public service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.

 This week on Health Watch, we're talking about nutrition for kids and how good habits learned early can have a lifelong impact. Lunch during the school day is important not only from a nutritional standpoint, but also because a nutritious lunch can help boost academic performance.

Lona Sandon, a registered dietitian at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has some suggestions for nutritious lunches that are still kid-friendly. A classic sandwich with lean lunch meat or peanut butter on whole-wheat bread is a good source of protein. Kids often love small containers of foods like cottage cheese, yogurt in a tube, fruit cups or low-fat pudding. Substitute wheat crackers for potato chips and yogurt smoothies or milk for soft drinks. Make sure to include fruits and vegetables, like grapes, apple slices or baby carrots.

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September 2006

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