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SALT LAKE CITY — When it comes to school lunches, parents often want convenience while children want taste. Dietitian Liz Bynan gave some tips to make sure lunch is packed with a healthy punch.
"They're doing what's quick and easy, and that's not always the healthiest or best idea," Bynan said of parents.
Healthy lunches don't have to be boring, she said.
"There are cool ways to have smoothies," Bynan said. "So if you want your child to have a sweet refreshing smoothie, it may not stay frozen, but it still is cold when you end up eating it."
For kids who like the Lunchable idea, she said parents can keep it healthy by building their own. She said she sees a lot of kids bringing the pizza Lunchable to school.
"You can make your own pizza by taking your own shredded cheese (and) your own pizza sauce. You can use an English muffin or you can use a flatbread," she said.
Parents can also switch up a sandwich by using different kinds of breads, muffins or loaves, like banana nut. She said parents can make a fun sandwich with apples by slicing them into a round.
"You can slice them in circles and then layer them with peanut butter so you have like an apple sandwich," Bynan said.
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Sara Eberhard said the average lunch she makes at her house contains a sandwich, apple, carrots and sometimes chips.
Seventh grader Brianna Eberhard said she liked the idea of a smoothie at lunch.
"I would actually love that. I mean, I love smoothies," Brianna said.
Before going crazy with the apples and peanut butter, Bynan said not to forget every lunch needs a vegetable, a fruit, a whole grain and a protein.
More healthy ideas can be found at intermountainlivewell.org.