Send Your Kids Back to School with Pencils, Notebooks and Nutritious Meals and Snacks

(ARA) - Moms can get excited about many things that come with going back to school including the increased structure in their kids' lives and the numerous art projects that come home as gifts. However, moms are often challenged when it comes to providing nutritious meals for their kids during the new routines and hectic schedules that come with back-to-school time. Ragu pasta sauce is committed to finding quick and nutritious alternatives to feeding kids during all meals, even lunch at school! And, with a half cup of veggies in every serving of Ragu, moms can feel good about serving it to their kids at any time.

Nutritionist Robin Foroutan understands the worries moms face when feeding their kids. "Getting kids to eat healthfully during the school year can be daunting, especially in an environment where soda and tater tots prevail," says Robin. "Concentrating on balanced meals that combine fruit, vegetables, lean protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats will provide the fuel kids need to power through the school day and provide the nutrients to keep them healthy. By finding quick and nutritious solutions in the kitchen, both you and your kids will make it through the school year on top."

For moms that are sick of making the same old sandwiches day after day try these tips for serving quick and nutritious food at every meal.

Lunches:
* Ran out of bread? Pack whole wheat crackers along with lean turkey, thin apple slices and low fat cheese. Your kids will love making miniature sandwiches and you won't have to make an extra trip to the store.
* A favorite dinner can turn into a favorite hot lunch. Does your child look forward to taco night all week, or beg you to make spaghetti all the time? If so, then make extra of their favorite meals and pack them as lunch the next day. Your kids will be thrilled to eat their favorite meals again, and you'll have extra time in the morning. Make sure to reheat the meal in the morning and pack it in a thermos to keep it warm until lunchtime.

Snacks:
* Serve your child low fat yogurt topped with fresh fruit, nuts and granola. Voila! You've created a yogurt parfait in under 5 minutes!
* Kids love to dip! Chop up a few ingredients, pour the dip into a bowl and you've provided a nutritious snack without breaking a sweat.
Try these:
* Cucumbers, broccoli and peppers dipped in low fat dressing
* Cubes of turkey and low fat cheese dipped in warm Ragu pasta sauce
* Carrots, celery and whole wheat pita bread dipped in hummus

Dinners:
* Let your kids be chef for a night. Toast a whole wheat bagel topped with Ragu pasta sauce and low fat cheese and offer diced vegetables and cubed lean chicken as toppings. They'll have so much fun making their own pizza, they won't realize that they are eating nutritious food.
* Don't forget about the crock pot! Throw some lean chicken, veggies, pasta sauce and spices into a crock pot before you leave in the morning. This way you can pick up the dry cleaning, cart the kids to soccer practice and come home to a piping hot meal that smells like it took hours to prepare.

For more recipes and tips pick up a free copy of the Ragu Soccer Moms Shortcuts book, available at www.Ragu.com. Ragu pasta sauce is committed to finding quick and nutritious alternatives to feeding kids during all meals, even lunch at school! And, with a half cup of veggies in every serving of Ragu, moms can feel good about serving it to their kids at any time.

Courtesy of ARAcontent