It’s atrocious, isn’t it? I understand your concern. As a mom who’s trying to get her toddler started off on the right foot, I know it can be challenging to come up with appealing alternatives. I, for now, have the luxury of preventing my daughter from even looking at a McDonalds or seeing the ads on T.V. Unfortunately, that gets harder as they get older.

I would suggest moving in increments as he gets used to new tastes. The holistic parenting movement has some good cookbooks out there, but you can find a few great ideas even in Martha Stewart’s “good things for kids” or Jessica Seinfeld’s new book. (Just know there’s also a lot of carb heavy stuff to skip over.) I have to say that presentation matters big to kids. They like things cut into small wedges, etc.

A few ideas (some require that insulated lunch kit you mention):
–whole wheat pita and hummus (wheat, yes, but Rome wasn’t built in a day) Ideally, he’ll be dipping cut veggies into the hummus once he gets used to the hummus

–kefir or cottage cheese with berries or cherries added

–Apple slices with marscapone cheese or nut butter

–sweet potato “fries” (a compromise, yes, but it might help to win him over with familiar things first)

–deviled eggs (ideally made with yoghurt or homemade mayo)

–hearty main “leftover” courses like stews, chili with lots of veggies

–salads with meat: chef’s salad or (company favorite at my house) shredded roasted chicken salad with red cabbage, granny smith apple, celery slices, a bit of celery salt, garlic/garlic powder (for quick prep), and mayo/yoghurt.

Good luck! You sound like a great grandfather!

I have a 10 year old grandson who is a good 30 pounds overweight. This is despite the fact that he’s a competitive swimmer and generally a very active kid. His diet up to this point, however, stinks! I’ve convinced his mother to quit taking him for burgers and fies after school, and I have him eating MDA-approved salads after school instead. But I can’t be there at school and I’ve seen some of the stuff they serve (I been eating with one or two grandkids once a week for seven years). So here is where I could use some help fron the Apple contingent. I’m looking for any ideas I can use to pack him a lunch for school as an alternative to industrial pizza and mystery-meat nuggets. He doesn’t eat until 11:40 so it would be better if it didn’t need refrigeration or reheating although I’d get a thermos or a little insulated lunch kit if needed. I’d appreciate any help on this one. Thanks!

One factor might be parents who refuse to accept that having kids means a change to your lifestyle. A parent can’t be out late every night unless a) they can afford a babysitter, or b) they drag their little ones along with them.

I remember when I was 10 or 11 negotiating with my mom to let me stay up past 8! Now I see 10 year olds up til all hours.

The freedom of scheduling, and the crappy foods served in school lunches (plus the cutting back on recess) are contributors to our decision to homeschool.

I’m never sure what to think when I see very young kids out and about very late at night. I guess some kids might sleep later, but it just seems strange to me, and this reinforces it.