Back to School Lunch Foods for Eye Health

Healthy School Lunches that Help Promote Eye Health

How do you prepare healthy school lunches that your kids will love?

We’ve all been told, “Eat carrots because they are good for your eyes.” But carrots aren’t the only good food for eye health. The best foods for eye health are full of nutrients such as Omega-3 fatty acids, Zinc, Vitamins C and E, and Lutein.

Now that we are well into the school year, here are just a few ideas on how to make all-around healthy school lunches. We’re talking about lunches kids will love with foods that help promote healthy eyesight without them even knowing it!

5 Healthy Foods for Lunch Boxes

Green Smoothies

Rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, green spinach and kale are superfoods known to promote eye health, They possess a bounty of other health benefits as well. Sneak some spinach or kale in a fruit smoothie and send in a small thermos for your kids to have at Recess or at Lunch.

Egg Pinwheels

Eggs are packed full of protein, vitamins, and nutrients. Lutein and Vitamin A in eggs can specifically help promote eye health and function. Rolling egg salad in a whole wheat tortilla shell is a creative alternative to the boring egg sandwich.

Fruit Salad

Make a fun concoction full of citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits along with small berries. Fruit salads are all full of Vitamin C. Why not include your kids when deciding what 3 or 4 fruits to try?

Veggies & Hummus

Cut up carrots, bell peppers and other favourite vegetables, and send along with hummus for dipping. Yellow, orange, and red vegetables are rich in carotenoids thought to help decrease the risk of many eye diseases. The chickpeas in the hummus are full of Zinc which helps the liver release and drive Vitamin A to the retina.

Tuna & Crackers

Tuna is not only convenient to have on hand but also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that protect against dry eyes, macular degeneration, and cataracts. Your kids will also like to spread the tuna on each cracker themselves.

Remember that your children’s eyes work hard at school. They are constantly reading books, working at the computer, and reading information from the board or projector. It is important to pack healthy lunch foods that not only promote eye health but also keep them fuelled throughout the day.

Book Your Child’s Next Eye Appointment

To book an eye health appointment for your child, please contact Unionville children’s optometrist by calling 905-477-4488 today.

Read more about when to get your children’s eyes tested.