• Replace white bread with 100 percent whole wheat bread, pita pockets or tortilla wraps.
• Skip the chips and cookies and opt to include a fruit, vegetable and low-fat dairy product with your child’s lunch. Grapes, sliced apples, baby carrots, cheese sticks and yogurt are all great choices that are easy to eat and will help keep your child feeling satisfied through the afternoon.
• Replace sugary beverages like soda, juice or sweetened iced tea with water, unsweetened iced tea, low-fat milk or flavored water or seltzer.
• Substitute a high-calorie condiment like mayonnaise with its low-fat/light alternative or use mustard or try adding avocado or hummus to a sandwich for moisture.
• While it may slow the process a bit, engaging your child in choosing his/her lunch increases the chances he/she will actually eat what’s been packed for them rather than reaching into their pockets to find money for the vending machine.
For more suggestions to stay heart healthy or make an appointment with one of New Jersey’s top cardiologist,visit rwjbh.org/heart.