How to Raise Chemical Free Kids: Non-Toxic Solutions from Deirdre Imus

Studies conducted over the years prove that organic food is the best choice when it comes to overall health.

With our national school lunch standards lagging behind current nutritional science, many families opt to make their own. For the busy parent tight on time, creating a healthy (and low-cost) lunch is as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Leave it out.
Omit the toxins and additives in conventional lunch foods by choosing organic whenever possible. Many are now cost-competitive with conventional items, so shop around and compare. When it comes to fruits and veggies, use EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, or The Daily Green's Dirty Dozen list.

2. Choose to reuse.
Much of what kids’ get in their lunch boxes is plastic packaging. Think of all the water bottles, pudding cups and sandwich bags kids throw out. Switch things up (and reduce waste) by buying in bulk (such as a large container of applesauce) and spooning a child’s portion into in a reusable container. Skip the plastic spoon and opt for reusable utensils made from organic bamboo.

3. Find balance.
Include in your child’s lunch 5 key components recommended by Whole Foods:

1. The sandwich (pitas, wraps, traditional varieties)
2. The drink (organic juice box, water, smoothies, drinkable yogurt)
3. The crunch (rice cakes, pretzels, veggie chips, sesame sticks)
4. The sweet (fruit leather, trail mix, yogurt raisins, applesauce)
5. The fruit or veg (apple, orange, carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, sliced yellow pepper).

For more tips about keeping your child healthy and safe, sign up for the Deirdre Imus Environmental Center for Pediatric Oncology newsletter.