It’s time for back to school, and what to pack for lunch you might ask? Well here are some fun ideas to keep your kids healthy and well fed while at school.
First, as you prepare their lunches, think “rainbow.” You want their lunch to be as colorful as a rainbow. Lots of fruits, veggies and good proteins. Protein is so important, because it is a brain food. and when they are tired and lunch comes around they need to have a protein rich lunch, to wake up their brains. Also try to avoid packing sugary foods. You want to empower their minds, so that they are ready for that math test.
Here is a quick list of some simple foods to add to their lunch.
Sandwiches are always good, just spice them up a bit:
- turkey wrap- 3oz turkey slices, mustard, mozzarella cheese, pickles, sprouts, red onions, spinach, on a wheat wrap. Mix and match with whatever your child likes. I like wraps because they don’t get soggy.
- wheat bagel with cream cheese, turkey or ham.
- peanut butter, or almond butter and jelly sandwich on wheat, and use a cookie cutter to shape the sandwich. We love the heart, and the train.
Un-sandwich their lunch:
- black beans, cheese, and chips. This is my daughter’s favorite. Just open, wash and drain a can of black beans. Pour about 1/2 cup-1 cup of beans into a small Tupperware. Sprinkle in cheese and salsa, and then pack a bag of chips. Microwave at school.
- pasta with Parmesan in a Tupperware container. Fast and very hearty!
- Salad with croutons(put in a baggy), black beans, cucumber, and mozzarella cheese. For dressing get the little single serving packets or pour dressing in a little container.
Fun accessories to their lunch:
- almond butter with a banana, and grape nuts. You can prepare the banana with the almond butter and grape nuts and then freeze. Then put it in their lunch with an ice pack.
- Quaker cakes….they come in many flavors, and they have a lot less calories and fat than a potato chip
- string cheese
- yogurt with granola
- bag of cut up veggies
- cottage cheese with a fruit
- dried fruit
- beef jerky
These are just a few ideas for a homemade lunch as your kids go back to school this fall. Any other ideas?
Would love ideas for children who do not like sandwhiches. My children would never touch any of the listed sandwhich ideas. Don't like mayo, mustard, etc. I am pulling my hair out trying to come up with ideas.
fun shaped pasta tossed with vinaigrette, grape tomatoes, olives, cubed chicken, parmesan cheese, maybe broccoli or spinach, too. whatever veggies the kids like
I like allison's ideas with the black beans–also good to combine them with kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes, diced cucumbers, salt, pepper and red-wine vinegar. Great relish/dip for tortilla chips.
likeschocolate:
if you cut them out with cookie cutter shapes does it make a difference? heart shaped sandwiches?
my son ate nothing but mac & cheese for 2 years of his life, so i feel your pain.
Yummy. I might make these for me! :) Thanks for the ideas!
Don’t they all sound yummy? I’m totally trying some of them.