Back to school means the weather is changing and before you know it, we’ll enjoy some cooler weather. But cooler weather also brings on colds and flu for lots of people. Keeping your children as healthy as possible starts with watching what they eat.

We know that antioxidants are one way to help fight off illness and help build a strong immune system. Antioxidants are simply vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that protect and repair cells from damage caused by free radicals. These free radicals can wreak havoc on an immune system and make it easier for kids to come down with colds or flu.

Antioxidants can help keep the immune system strong so you and your kids can better fight off colds and flu. That’s why Green Monkey School Lunches always focus on foods rich in antioxidants, nutrients, and vitamins.

And it’s great that those foods highest in antioxidants are also foods that contribute to a healthy weight, mind, and body!

Some foods are higher in antioxidants than others so we try to always include the best ones in our lunches.

The three major antioxidant vitamins are beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E.  These are found in lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Canned fruits and vegetables don’t always offer the same protection as fresh either – that’s why Green Monkey lunches include fresh and natural.

Some great sources of antioxidants include:

• Apples
• Beans
• Cantaloupe
• Carrots
• Corn
• Mangoes
• Peaches
• Tomatoes
• Strawberries
• Broccoli
• Raisins
• Blueberries/Berries of all types
• Red grapes

Try to incorporate some of these super foods with high antioxidants into your child’s breakfast, dinner, and snacks every day. And we’ll do our part at Green Monkey Lunches to include them in their fresh lunches every day!