up front | food
28 BACK TO SCHOOL | 2020
Hawaiian Sweet Roll Sliders Ingredients: 16-ounce package Hawaiian sweet rolls 2 packages honey ham or turkey Colby Jack cheese, cut into 12 small slices 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 tablespoons Everything Bagel seasoning blend Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice Hawaiian rolls horizontally. Layer half of ham or turkey on the bottom half of rolls, then add cheese. Top with top half of rolls. Brush rolls with olive oil and top with Everything Bagel seasoning blend. Place on foil-lined baking sheet, covering rolls loosely with foil. Bake 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let cool 5 minutes, then slice into individual portions. — Luisa Hammett
PROVIDED BY LUISA HAMMETT
that when you can make the plate look like a smiley face or a badger or something crazy, that’s something that they really love,” he says. There’s another benefit beyond making the meal fun: It gets children invested in their nutrition and fosters a healthy relationship with food. Luisa Hammett, an Atlanta-based pediatric registered dietitian, says, “I actually recommend that parents start the whole process at the grocery store and let Mom know what is something they’d like to have in their lunch.” Not only does this take some pressure off of the parent prepping lunch, but the child has a say in it early on, which makes them more likely to eat the meal. This step is especially crucial for picky eaters who may feel like they’re not being heard. Goldman also suggests preparing their lunches with a little bit of panache. Ziploc and paper bags are efficient, but bento boxes can amp up the fun factor. The box typically has about five small compartments, allowing you to include a variety of goodies. What you pack can be simple — dressed salads, hard boiled eggs, pretzels, a small treat — but it’s way more fun to eat out of than a bag. Whatever you include, Hammett says it’s most important to have a balance of protein and fiber. For example, chopped chicken and fruit slices or hummus with carrots. If your child’s dietary needs allow, it’s totally fine to include a treat. “What we’re doing as parents, we’re trying to teach our children about eating everything in moderation. And that there’s a balance,” says Hammett. Just make sure that treat is actually something they want, and you’ll be golden. l