Diet & Nutrition

Parents are responsible for providing lunch for their child each day.

NC3 Preschool will provide breakfast and two snacks throughout the day.

Lunch Containers

Diet & Nutrition

Lunch containers should arrive with the child each morning at drop-off, labeled with your child's first & last name and the date. We prefer a bento-style box that can be fully washed at the end of each day. We have links available on our Gear tab. Ice packs are unnecessary as we store the lunches in the refrigerator.

Lunch Contents

Diet & Nutrition

Lunch Contents

Lunches should be easy to access food, that is cut properly & safely as to avoid choking.

No candy.

Water Bottles

Diet & Nutrition

Lunch Contents

Water bottles should be those with fully closable straws that children do not need to touch to open. Do not bring those with open-mouth holes like Owala, HydroFlask or adult-sized water bottles. These also must be labeled with your child's first & last name and the date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at nc3preschool@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What foods should I avoid?

No candy, yogurt tubes & drinkable yogurt.

Are you a nut-free center?

No, we are NOT a nut-free center. Nut products are welcome.

Why is diet so important?

Young children are growing rapidly and nutrient dense foods will fuel their immune systems & physical and mental development. Our program is physically demanding and children will need good quality food. Focus on those foods that support brain health like beans, vegetables, yogurt, fruit and lean meats or vegetarian alternative. Limiting sugar helps support their appetite for healthier choices.

I love putting a sweet treat in my child's lunchbox to put a smile on their face when they're at school. What can I do instead?

Some parents like putting a sweet treat in their child's lunchbox for them to find midday but the same thing can be accomplished by adding a note or other token of affection. We have one family that puts little characters cut from magazines or food packaging into their child's lunchbox. (See last photo below.)

Where can I purchase the items necessary for lunch?

You can visit the tab at the top of the page marked "Amazon Links for Gear". This is where you can find all the items we love!

We are a plastic-free family. Can my child bring glass containers to school?

For safety reasons, we do not allow children to bring glass dishes. We don't warm any food in plastic containers and will use a paper plate instead. Stainless steel is welcome.

Lunch Ideas & Links

Main Course

Sandwiches, pasta, meat & cheese, overnight oats, hard-boiled eggs, meat sticks and yogurt are all kid-friendly ideas. These pita pizzas look super fun too!

Fruit & Vegetables

Fruit & vegetables are good sources of fiber & vitamins. Please ensure all grapes & cherry tomatoes are cut in half to avoid choking. Check this link to ensure you are cutting them in half correctly.

Sides

Easy to eat carbs are always a good choice for lunchtime. Kids burn a lot of calories and comfort foods are welcome! These are especially wonderful when paired with a healthy yogurt dip or hummus.

Muffins

Kids love bite-sized muffins and there are many recipes available online that include vegetables & protein.

Chocolate Protein Muffins

Egg Muffins

Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins

Leftovers

Sending in leftovers are a great option as well! You can preheat a thermos and then fill it with your child's warmed food. This will stay on our kitchen counter until lunchtime. We are also happy to heat the food in our microwave.