Getting kids out the door and off to school each morning is no small task, but making sure they have a nutritious meal packed and ready to go adds another layer of complexity. Between early mornings, busy schedules and picky eaters, assembling a tasty lunchbox lunch can feel like one chore too many. However, with some planning and smart choices, you can create tasty school lunches your kids will love in no time at all. Here are some expert tips and ideas on packing simple yet satisfying meals to fuel learning throughout the school day.
Involve Kids in the Process
One easy way to get your children invested in their lunch is by letting them help pack it each evening. Having a say in the menu is empowering and helps cultivate healthy habits from a young age. Keep things fun by letting kids choose their favorite fruits, veggies or snacks to include. You can even do lunchbox packing together as a family activity. Adding stickers, notes or decorations is another touch kids love that adds personality to pre-made lunches in the fridge each morning. Getting your kids excited to see what’s inside their lunches each day makes eating school meals much more enjoyable.
Load Up on Nutritious Fiber
It’s no secret that many kid favorites like chicken nuggets, pizza and other processed foods lack fiber and nutrients. Aim to pack at least one or two higher-fiber foods like whole grains, beans or crunchy veggies in each lunch. Whole wheat breads, pita pockets, rice or quinoa are easy whole grains to enjoy. For veggies, try snap peas, sliced carrots, cucumbers or bell peppers your kids can eat with hummus or ranch. The fiber will keep tummies full and energy levels steady through the afternoon. Don’t forget fruit for natural sweetness and vitamins too. Bananas, apples, oranges and grapes travel well.
Make Protein Personal
While many schools offer cheese sticks or peanut butter as protein sources, you may want to customize this part of the lunch. Consider packing small containers of hard boiled eggs, turkey slices, nut butter packets, tuna salad or leftovers like chicken strips. Cubed tofu, beans or edamame are also kid-friendly vegetarian/vegan picks. Pre-portioning into baggies or containers makes protein easy to add to other items in the lunchbox. Don’t forget dairy too – small yogurts, string cheese or milk cartons round out balanced lunches.
Get Creative with Main Dishes
The main event of any lunch should ideally be more than just a sandwich. Consider fun, fillings wraps or roll-ups instead using lettuce or tortillas. Pasta or grain salads, mini pizza bagels or personal frittata cups are also unique light meal ideas. On busier mornings, leftovers from the night before like soup, casserole or stir fry translate perfectly into compartmentalized containers. The options are endless – get the kids excited by letting their creativity shine with special theme days too. Taco Tuesday lunches or mini personal pies are always a hit.
Don’t Skimp on Treats
While focusing on core, nutritious foods is important, don’t deny your kids an occasional fun surprise in their lunches too. Mini muffins, popsicles, graham crackers, cookies or homemade treats in moderation boost lunch enjoyment. Some kids may also be more inclined to eat plant-based snacks like veggie straws or roasted chickpeas if paired with favorite flavors. Single serve puddings, jellos or fruit cups provide sweetness to look forward to at the end of the meal as well. Variety makes packed lunches more exciting and satisfying for growing minds and bodies.
Balance is key with school meals that power kids through busy days of learning and play. With some planning and getting the whole family involved, you can put together speedy, nourishing lunchboxes everyone will love. Focus on whole grains, protein, fiber and natural sugars for sustained energy. Get creative too for variety that fuels curiosity alongside growing bodies. Before you know it, packing lunches will be a routine you and your kids can enjoy together.
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