Ahh, you remember the school lunch line. Standing there, surveying your choices – mystery meat or a chicken patty? There was always pizza on Fridays and little Jell-O cups. Sure, many of the items are still there today, but now there are healthier options. Let’s not forget the good old brown bag lunch.
With kids back to school, it’s time to help make their lunch a little tastier, healthier and enjoyable!
Let’s talk style and durability. While the little brown bag is a classic, think of all the bags you’ll go through in an entire school year! It’s not environmentally friendly, and there’s always a risk that the bag might rip! Invest in a sturdy and good-sized lunchbox. You can even let your kids personalize it with stickers and their names on it!
What goes inside the lunch bag? You don’t want your kids trading or selling their lunches, so it’s a good idea to get their input. Find out what they like and dislike! They’re the ones who will be eating the lunch, so it’s important to hear from them.
Try putting new – and even healthier spins – on old favorites. Add playful twists to standard sandwiches such as PB&J with large cookie cutters. Just take a favorite shape and go from there (this works great especially for kids who like the crusts cut off!). When making a sandwich that consists of deli meat and cheese, consider going breadless. Roll up the meat and cheese (put any condiments on the inside first!) or even use a big leaf of lettuce instead. Instead of sliced bread, consider using pita bread. Pita comes in many varieties, and they can be filled with everything from chicken salad to veggies!
Pick out healthy snacks to round out the lunchtime experience. Make a fruit salad or even a small salad of fresh veggies! If you’re packing a whole fruit such as an orange or an apple, you may want to peel or cut them to make it easier for your kids to enjoy.
Other healthy snacks include pretzels, string cheese and peanut butter and crackers. Try making your own snacks with your kids! Mix together cereal, dried fruits and even pieces of candy for a trail mix or put peanut butter on pieces of celery. Also, it’s okay to let your children indulge in potato chips or their favorite not-so-healthy snack sometimes. Just make sure to keep portions under control!
Lunchbox Hint: Keep juice cold by keeping juice boxes in the freezer. It will melt by lunchtime, and it also makes a great alternative to an ice pack! (And make sure it’s 100 percent fruit juice!)
Make the lunch even more special by including a special treat! Whether it’s a note (“Good luck on your test!”), a piece of candy or even a little puzzle, throwing in a surprise always makes lunch more enjoyable and will bring a smile to your child’s face!
Earn an A+ with fun lunches and healthy choices!
