Summer, kids' packed lunches help reduce beach prices: "local, healthy, and low-cost."

It's the hot topic of the summer: if the sea becomes "salty," even for the wallet, how can you treat yourself to a family vacation and still make ends meet? "To save money, public beaches are fine, as long as there's a lifeguard and a lifeguard on duty; otherwise, they should be avoided because they're a danger to everyone. It's a good idea to pack a packed lunch." A child-sized lunchbox, in fact, can be a key to combating high prices. A pediatrician's words. "Let's not skimp on sunscreen, because it's necessary to apply it even if we're only at the beach for one day and already have a tan," begins Italo Farnetani. The creator of the Green Flags, which fly on beaches selected by pediatricians as ideal destinations for little beachgoers, offers a list of suggestions for homemade snacks and lunches to enjoy under the umbrella.

"Taking children to the beach, even just for a day or a weekend, is important because it offers a great opportunity to spend time outdoors, have fun, and engage in physical activity, the primary way to combat excess weight and obesity." To avoid the August slump, just follow a few rules, the doctor explains to Adnkronos Salute. The first point is hydration. "Since it's essential to ensure children's bodies are adequately hydrated and to drink primarily water to replace the fluids lost through sweating and excessive heat, the number one tip for parents is to bring a cooler and fill it with a sufficient supply of fresh water. Still or sparkling water is fine, depending on the little ones' tastes. Half-liter bottles are helpful, as they're very popular with children, especially because they feel like something 'theirs', and they can be found at the supermarket at reasonable prices."

The beach menu? "Even in this case, following your child's tastes helps, choosing the foods they eat most often and enjoy most. I would avoid sandwiches," suggests the expert, "because many children tend not to like them, and" if they're large and crispy, "they're not suitable for a child's oral cavity and chewing ability, and they take too long to eat. It's important to remember that at the beach, children obviously prefer playing to eating. Fresh foods, especially on these hot days, are more readily consumed." So here's an ideal packed lunch to pack in a cooler. "Based on research conducted on children's tastes and preferences, some of the summer dishes that have been most popular among children in various Italian regions are: rice or cold pasta salad, parmesan or grana cheese, a hard-boiled egg with mayonnaise or ketchup (single-use sachets are best, as these sauces, used occasionally, aren't harmful), mozzarella and cooked ham bites, red tomatoes, and watermelon. A slice of Margherita pizza also received a thumbs-up," concludes Farnetani.