Sodium is an essential electrolyte required in kids school lunches but in a very small amount. It balances and maintains the water level in our body and also aids in the proper functioning of nerves and muscles, but too much intake of sodium can lead to an increase in blood pressure and have an adverse effect on your heart. It has been observed that eating too much salt in the early years of life as a child can increase the level of salt in your body, which gets more acute as one ages. As a result, we must ensure that there is no added salt in the school lunch and that whatever salt is present comes from natural sources, such as fruits and vegetables.
Which foods have more sodium content?
Sodium in salt acts as a preservative and a taste enhancer. So, it is present in very high quantities in junk foods such as pizza, burgers, cheese, processed foods, cold cuts, breads, rolls etc. And, studies show children in the age group of 6 to 16 years eat a lot of food items that have a high sodium content, and it should be controlled for a healthy lifestyle.
If you are preparing food at home for your child’s school lunch, make sure you pack a balanced and nutritious meal that provides minerals, vitamins, proteins, and fat.
Many schools have tie-ups with school lunch companies, providing several options for a healthy meal. You can contact them, discuss their menu plan, and study the distribution of minerals and vitamins along with protein in the meal provided to kids before signing the lunch contract for your child.
Kiddoscatering.com is an Illinois-based school lunch company that has a diverse menu for school children. You can get in touch with them for healthy school lunches.
