Duncan Blog

Dr. Eric Duncan Blog

Duncan Chiropractic Group P.C.

http://www.doctorofbrighton.com

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Tip of the Month





        By the time you read this, if you have children, they are already back in school. If they are, then you know what it's like to try to pack a healthy and safe lunch every day. Not too long ago officials from the Oklahoma State Department of Health offered some great tips to help parents out:

    Keep everything clean when packing the lunch. Use hot, soapy water to clean hands, clean preparation surfaces, and clean utensils. Wash your hands before you prepare or eat food. Wash insulated lunch bags with warm soapy water after each use.
    Use an insulated lunch box to help keep foods cold. Insulated, soft-sided lunch totes are best for keeping perishable foods chilled. You can also use a thermos to keep milk or juice cold until lunchtime. Perishable foods should not be out of refrigeration for more than two hours.
    Use freezer gel packs that are widely available in stores. If you cannot get freezer gel packs, freeze a juice box or plastic water bottle overnight and put that into the lunch box next to the sandwich.
    Keep your lunch in the coolest place possible! If there is a refrigerator at school, put your lunch in there. If not, keep it out of the sun and away from the heat.
    Pack shelf-stable foods, especially if you have a brown paper bag lunch. These food items include fresh fruits and vegetables, crackers, peanut butter sandwiches, canned meats, shelf-stable cheeses, packaged pudding, and canned fruits and juices.
    Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running tap water, including those with skins and rinds that are not eaten. Blot dry with a paper towel before packing them in your child's lunch.
    Use a thermos to keep soup, chili and stew hot. Use an insulated bottle stored in an insulated lunch box. Fill the bottle with boiling water, let stand for a few minutes, empty, and then put in the piping hot food. Keep the insulated bottle closed until lunch to keep the food hot.
    Make sure kids wash their hands before eating lunch. Encourage at least 20 seconds - about the time it takes to sing two choruses of the "Happy Birthday" song - of hand washing in warm soapy water.
    Discard perishable leftovers after lunch.  Discard all used food packaging since bacteria can grow on plastic bags, aluminum foil, and paper. If you're packing your child's lunch with reusable bags, be sure to wash them daily with soap and hot water.

Remember, we're always here to help your body heal
and maintain the health you deserve.

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