Time to put your bathing suits, sandals and beach towels away and start shopping for school supplies! As excited as I get when school is ending, after a three-month summer vacation I’m always eager to get my kids back to school.
Along with the sudden shift into school mode comes the choice between packing lunches or opting for the hot, but low-nutrition lunches at school. Many moms these days opt for the healthier homemade choice. But it can be challenging to find new ways to make creative, nutrition-packed lunches that a) are tasty enough to avoid dumpster status, or b) aren’t traded away for unhealthy foods like chips and cookies.
The ideal lunch for our little ones is nutritious and has enough calories to fuel the brain but not so many to cause hyperactivity or sluggish post-lunch behavior. When packing your kids’ lunches, remember that we eat with our eyes. Think variety. Kids love foods that surprise and stimulate their appetite. Who says lunch has to be a traditional sandwich? Think outside the breadbox when making your kids lunches. Give your brown bagger an energy boost with these nutritious, delicious sack lunch options:
Pita-pocket
Refried beans, shredded cheese and chopped tomatoes; lowfat milk and fruit
On a roll
Whole grain roll with light tuna, lettuce and cheese; baby carrots and 100% juice
Turkey roll-ups
Whole-wheat wrap with sliced turkey, swiss cheese, lettuce leaves and cranberry relish; fresh fruit
Salad
Ready to eat salad with lowfat dressing, lean deli meat cubes, cheese and assorted veggies; lowfat milk
Tortilla wrap
Lowfat tortilla with egg salad, cucumber slices and lettuce; yogurt
Last night’s dinner (one of the below)
Spaghetti and meat sauce in a thermos
Chicken noodle soup
Lasagna
Chicken leg, baby carrots and lowfat milk
For most of us, variety helps prevent boredom and ensures that your child will eat a balanced lunch to stay alert throughout the day. And remember—packing lunches for school doesn’t have to be a drag. If you involve your child in the process, it’s a nice way to spend time and educate them about smart food choices to boot
Along with the sudden shift into school mode comes the choice between packing lunches or opting for the hot, but low-nutrition lunches at school. Many moms these days opt for the healthier homemade choice. But it can be challenging to find new ways to make creative, nutrition-packed lunches that a) are tasty enough to avoid dumpster status, or b) aren’t traded away for unhealthy foods like chips and cookies.
The ideal lunch for our little ones is nutritious and has enough calories to fuel the brain but not so many to cause hyperactivity or sluggish post-lunch behavior. When packing your kids’ lunches, remember that we eat with our eyes. Think variety. Kids love foods that surprise and stimulate their appetite. Who says lunch has to be a traditional sandwich? Think outside the breadbox when making your kids lunches. Give your brown bagger an energy boost with these nutritious, delicious sack lunch options:
Pita-pocket
Refried beans, shredded cheese and chopped tomatoes; lowfat milk and fruit
On a roll
Whole grain roll with light tuna, lettuce and cheese; baby carrots and 100% juice
Turkey roll-ups
Whole-wheat wrap with sliced turkey, swiss cheese, lettuce leaves and cranberry relish; fresh fruit
Salad
Ready to eat salad with lowfat dressing, lean deli meat cubes, cheese and assorted veggies; lowfat milk
Tortilla wrap
Lowfat tortilla with egg salad, cucumber slices and lettuce; yogurt
Last night’s dinner (one of the below)
Spaghetti and meat sauce in a thermos
Chicken noodle soup
Lasagna
Chicken leg, baby carrots and lowfat milk
For most of us, variety helps prevent boredom and ensures that your child will eat a balanced lunch to stay alert throughout the day. And remember—packing lunches for school doesn’t have to be a drag. If you involve your child in the process, it’s a nice way to spend time and educate them about smart food choices to boot
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