Making healthy school lunches for kids

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — As the new school year approaches, parents are focusing on preparing healthy school lunches for their children.

With classes starting for most students next week, families are shopping in advance to ensure their kids have nutritious meals as they head back to into the classrooms.

"We're looking for nutrition. We want to feed the body and feed their growth," said Rachael Bishko, a mom of three who homeschools.

Bishko, who has studied proper food combining, emphasizes the importance of vegetables and protein in her children's diet, avoiding starches to help build muscle and height.

"We stay away from starches. Then they don't get too flaccid in the muscles," she explained.

She also advocates for buying straight from produce stands to avoid processed foods, which she believes is both a less expensive and healthier option, better for energy and gut health.

Austin Gott, a senior dietitian at Mercy Hospital, recommends a diverse selection of food types for optimal child growth.

He suggests a balanced meal for kids should include the foundation of lean protein, fruits, non-starchy vegetables like carrots or cucumbers, and carbohydrates like grain crackers.

For budget-conscious parents, Gott recommends affordable options such as tuna pouches and canned fruit in its own juice.

Due to federal cuts, some schools are concerned about potential reductions in lunches served to students.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by OzarksFirst.com. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by OzarksFirst.com staff before being published.