Healthy school lunches on a budget - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Parents want their children to eat healthy at school, while saving money at the same time. So how can you strike a balance to save, without sacrificing good nutrition? 

Since the price of public school lunches is going up this year because of the federal government mandate to increase nutrition, what's the better option - buy the school lunch or pack your own?

We visited the Clark Pleasant school cafeteria. Under a little-noticed provision of the child nutrition bill signed by President Obama, school districts now have five years to bring their prices in line with what costs to prepare healthier meals, eventually charging $2.50 for elementary students and $2.75 for high schoolers.

YMCA nutritionist Jenna Defore tells us parents are getting what they pay for, because the lunches are healthier. But, that doesn't always mean your child will eat it. And that could mean your money is thrown away.  So you need to plan ahead.

Defore said because of the new regulations, "Most of the menus are healthier, but it's still a good idea to sit down with your kids and most of them are online. So, you can pull them up and sit down and go over with them the healthier choices."

She also provided some back to school lunch tips:

1. Plan meals ahead of time
2. Double or triple recipes and freeze meals ahead
3. Take advantage of sales and coupons
4. Plan afternoon snack options
5. Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep a night
6. Maintain physical activity

Of course, packing a lunch for your child takes a little extra time. Defore recommends parents pack the night before, if time allows.