Top News

Plus more good news this week.

Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Key Points

• Build balanced school lunches with protein, whole grains, fruits, veggies and low-fat dairy, says a dietitian.
• Involve kids in meal planning, shopping and cooking to encourage healthy eating habits and food skills.
• Plus more good news, like how gardening can reduce stress, support digestion and improve gut health.

This is Good Food Newsyour weekly installment of positive food and health news from around the world. These feel-good stories are hand-picked by EatingWell editors to help make your week just a little bit brighter.

Featured Story: Meet the Dietitian Helping Kids Learn About Nutrition

It’s almost August, meaning back-to-school season is nearly here. To help you figure out what to pack in your kids’ lunchbox, an expert shares a formula to follow—plus more you should know.

“There is no ideal lunch if your child won’t eat it, so work around the foods your kids love,” Meghan Flynn, M.S., RDNtells EatingWell. “A general formula for building a well-balanced lunch is to combine a good source of protein with whole grains, fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy.”

Examples of lunches that fit into Flynn’s formula can “go beyond a traditional sandwich.” Recipes like our DIY Taco Lunchbox, Cream Cheese & Veggie Roll-Up or a sectioned bento box are easy, healthy meals that can keep lunch fun.

But promoting a healthy relationship with food in your kids’ lives goes beyond the school lunch. Flynn works as a leader at National Co+op Grocers (NCG), which supports local farmers, producers and grocers while educating families about nutrition. The co-op groups address the absence of nutrition education in schools, from basic cooking techniques to gardening skills.

Outside of these programs, Flynn notes that there are some things parents can do at home to help expand their children’s knowledge of food, cooking and their nutritional needs.

“[Kids] are much more likely to try new foods if they have a hand in picking them out and preparing [them],” the dietitian explains, noting that including the family in your meal planning, grocery shopping and cooking is key. “Making food preparation and shopping interactive and fun can help build those crucial skills in children in a way that’s hands-on and keeps them engaged.”

If you’re not sure where to start having your child help out in the kitchen, Flynn has some tips.

“Ask your children to help wash and peel vegetables, measure ingredients, stir or mix,” she says. “Teach them about food safety, such as washing their hands before touching food and being safe around the stove. As children get older, teach them how to follow a recipe and some of the basics of cooking—such as how to crack an egg, hold a knife and what mise en place means!”

These methods are taught and practiced at co-ops like Honest Weight Food Co-op in Albany, New York. In fact, the co-op even hosts a monthly “Kids Cook for a Cause” class where children prepare food stocked in the community-free fridge.

Programs like these are offered across the country, and for more information, you can visit the NCG’s website to find a co-op offering nutrition programs local to you.

More Good News This Week

The FDA Approves New Cholesterol Pill

Meet Lipfendra, the new, FDA-approved medication to lower LDL cholesterol levels. Developed by Merck, it’s the first oral inhibitor of PCSK9. Below is what to know about it from cardiologists before talking to your doctor about the new option.

Wawa Just Launched the Merch of the Summer

Have you ever walked to the beach and thought, “I wish I had a tote specifically designed for my sandwich right now”? Wawa heard your wishes, because their brand-new Shorti Tote is perfect for hoagie lovers and DIY beach sandwich connoisseurs. Order the $39.95 tote (alongside a hoagie) to end the summer in style!

Gardening Has Some Surprising Health Benefits

Gardening can be a therapeutic hobby, so it makes sense that it can help reduce stress and anxiety. But did you know that it can also aid healthy digestion and support gut health? Experts break down the surprising health benefits of maintaining a garden, giving the hobby a green thumbs up.

Video of the Week

We’d like to say we prioritize eating the fruits and vegetables on the counter before the cookies and chips every time, but we’d be lying. Fortunately, these produce-packed snacks help us make healthier choices on the daily.