SCHOOL LUNCHES The power of packing

TEENSHEALTH.ORG
You don't need to be a science whiz or math genius to figure out this experiment: Take the average guy or girl. Feed him or her breakfast at 6:30 before leaving for school. Put that person through a rigorous morning of classes with no breaks, then make that person stand in the cafeteria line for 10 minutes at noon. Add the mouth-watering aroma of greasy, fried foods wafting through the air. Now predict what that person will buy for lunch: (a) a burger and fries or (b) a low-calorie option, such as a turkey sandwich and salad.
If you're like most people who haven't eaten for hours, it's hard not to choose the burger and fries when you're really hungry. Sure, our brains have heard the news that kids, teens and adults are growing fatter. Yes, our minds know we'll look and feel better if we choose the healthiest eats. But let's be real: Our stomachs are going for the quick fix. How do you put your brain back in charge? Take a packed lunch to school!
Good reasons
Here are the some reasons to pack your lunch:
UControl. Leave the long lunch line (and your hunger) behind. Just sit down, open your lunch box or bag and dig in!
UVariety. It doesn't hurt to cave in and enjoy the occasional serving of chicken nuggets and hot dogs. But if you're eating these foods all the time, your body probably feels ready for a change. A packed lunch a couple of times a week means you can enjoy some favorites that you might not find at school.
UPlanning. If you have a big game or activity after school, plan ahead and pack some high-energy snacks to keep you going through the late afternoon.
UCold hard cash. A vending-machine candy bar and soda every day can equal the price of a movie ticket by the end of the week.