Back to school brings us back to lots of tasks that a few short months ago we were so glad to be done with like packing lunches. By June we are just plumb out of ideas. Well, its a new school year and time for new ideas and inspiration when it come to packing lunch.
First lets discuss structure. Lunch boxes do not have to be filled with the same sandwich every day, in fact sandwiches can be optional. As long as a lunch has the nutritional components necessary it can be a healthy lunch without the sandwich. Kids work hard all day and need a lunch that will fill them up until they get home. Web MD recommends that your child's lunch contains at least 3 different food groups. With that information on hand you can start to think outside the box and put together some more interesting lunches.
The second thing to think about is what to pack the lunch in. If you plan on creating healthy lunches with fresh vegetables and fruits you may consider getting an insulated, reusable lunch box. Its good for the environment and will keep their food fresher.
So you have your lunchbox, what are you going to put in it? We all know about PBJ and sandwiches but for something different consider these:
Protein/Carb (Main Dish)
Rolled up meat (ham, turkey, roast beef) and cheese (American, Swiss, muenster)
Tuna Salad with celery, onion, carrots, and broccoli (however your kids like it) with whole wheat crackers
Egg Salad with whole wheat crackers
Chicken Salad with mayo, grapes, apples, and nuts with whole wheat crackers
Soup in a thermos with whole wheat crackers, pita, or a roll
Use Banana bread to make a peanut butter and apple slice sandwich*
Leftovers from dinner the night before
Graham Crackers with peanut butter
Peanut butter in a small container with jelly on top with whole wheat pretzel sticks
Use a tortilla and roll the sandwich. Cut into "sushi rolls" - This can work with PBJ, lunch meat and more.
Fruit/Veg (Side)
Veggie sticks including carrots, celery, or any other veggies they like with dips such as dressing or hummus.
Unsweetened applesauce
Cut up fruit with cream cheese dip
Cheese sticks or cut up cheese in cubes or shapes
Yogurt
Plain Yogurt layered with cut up fruit and granola or nuts **
Celery filled with peanut butter or cream cheese and raisins (ants on a log)*
Dessert - We all need a little dessert and if you pack a "healthy" dessert it might keep them from buying or trading for something less healthy
Oatmeal cookies made with raisins, craisins, nuts, and chocolate chips (think trail mix). There is also a great recipe in Eat, Play, and Be Healthy
for a pretty healthy option
Make your own trail mix with nuts, dried fruit, pumpkin or sesame seeds, cereal, and a few chocolate chips
A chocolate or fruity cereal
Dried Fruit
Drinks - Freeze the drink overnight and it will act as both a cold pack for your child's lunch and a cold, refreshing beverage. Check with your child to be sure it defrosts by the time they have lunch.
100% juice boxes
Bottled water
Use a reusable bottle like Kleen Kanteen. Make "ice cubes" out of juice so that you can keep your child's juice cold without diluting it.
Time/money Saving Tips:
Pack lunch the night before
Over the weekend prepare baggies of cut up vegetable or fruit, dips, snacks, etc. so they are ready to add to lunches during the week. (you can put grapes in baggies but I wouldn't wash or cut up berries or bananas. You can toss apple or pear slices with lemon juice to prevent from browning
Buy regular size container instead of snack size and prepare your own with small reusable containers.
* Ideas taken from Family Fun Cookbook
** Ideas taken from Eat, Play, and Be Healthy
