The Lunch Book: A Fit Kid's Guide to Making Delicious (and Nutritious) Lunches

Kelly L. Green is a freelance writer living in Ajax, Ontario.

The authors and publishers of this package, which includes a 56-page
book on nutrition and fitness, a growth chart, a reusable lunch bag, and
a tear-off shopping list pad, have provided an excellent introduction to
sensible eating for 9- to 13-year-olds. The book, which includes 25
easy-to-prepare recipes, touches on many different aspects of eating and
nutrition, including planning, preparation, food combination,
high-nutrition foods, and the link between exercise and healthy living.

The book is as sensible as the approach to eating it espouses. The
emphasis is on health, and while the authors emphasize the importance of
exercise and an active life, nowhere do they mention weight or weight
loss. The illustrations are attractive, the charts easy to understand,
and the recipes easy to follow. The authors also explain complex issues,
such as the relationship between meat consumption and the use of grains,
with both attention to fact and sensitivity to the audience. Many
children will no doubt be surprised to learn that protein comes from
many plant sources, and not just from meat.

I have two reservations about this book, however. The authors seem to
assume that everyone can eat a variety of foods from all food groups,
and make no mention of or allowance for issues like lactose intolerance.
Non-dairy-eating children may feel that they are missing out after
reading this book. Also, the authors do not delve as deeply into
environmental issues as children or their parents might wish. For
instance, tuna is recommended several times, but the authors say not a
word about environmental concerns regarding tuna fishing and dolphin
killing. This issue is still, unfortunately, of grave concern, but you
certainly wouldn’t know it from reading this book. The reader learns
only that tuna in water is superior to tuna in oil. Nevertheless, with
its emphasis on whole grains, eating a variety of foods, and fitness,
this book is a sensible, comprehensive guide to eating for health, and
is highly recommended.