Making your kids lunch for school each day shouldn’t cause anxiety. Creating easy kid lunches should be an important part of your weekly planning. Its important to note that many of these options can also be used for breakfast or dinner. My kids and I are fans of switching things up, so a simple switch of breakfast for dinner, or dinner for breakfast is fun way to keep things interesting. I do realize not all people big and small like this idea, but it is something to consider if you have a picky eater on your hands.
Simple Lunch Planning
This post is a follow-up to Ideas for Lunch posted previously. That post has many healthy suggestions, but to be honest, I want my kids happy and alert, so if that means adding some not so healthy options into the mix, so be it. Having bellies full of balanced meals and snacks insures a good time with minimal crankiness. As for planning, when you make your weekly food plan, think about what you are serving for lunch. Having a plan will save you time and stress.
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Lunch List
Have these items on hand and be better prepared to make lunch for kids big and small. Keeping in mind “balanced meal” and the fundamentals: protein, fruit/veg, & starch.
Make a Bento box – Mini Charcuterie board
This sounds fancy but its not and its easy to put together. I like this one because I can put it together the night before – just add crackers or chips in the morning before packing it up.
Check out this Bento Box suggestion; it holds up to wear & tear, keeps food at the right temperature, and is easy to clean.
Some examples
Pita Chips (Stacy’s Chips), carrot sticks, ham & cheese roll ups
Veggie Sticks, grapes, cheese slices, pepperoni
Bagel Chips, hummus, cucumbers, a few slices of turkey
If you have a child with a nut allergy or your child has a classmate with a nut allergy, sun butter is a great alternative. If you are new to this, sun butter is made from sunflower seeds and is a good alternative to the classic many of us love.
PB&J (or SB& J) on Hawaiian sweet bread, crackers, bagel, tortilla wrap, etc.; throw in a bag a fruit and lunch is done! Don’t underestimate the power of dipping fruit favorites in these favorites.
Hot Lunch from Home
Get a thermos that keeps things hot and put their favorites right in it. I love this one from Amazon: its the MIRA Lunch Food Jar. This product keeps food hot for many hours.
Here are some examples of our favorites that held up well in it:
Side note on the soup, only give it if you know they aren’t going to make a mess. Its hit or miss with my kids, so it really depends on the soup. Mexican Chicken Soup would work for one of my kids because they like all the fixings that go with it, but this isn’t true of the my other child.
Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup
Same with chili and quesadillas, if they are used to all the fixings at home, pack it for lunch. They’ll be excited about it and they’ll eat it right up!
Yogurt is another protein packed snack and paired with some extras, can be a delicious meal too. With the right fixings, you’ll have a nutritious easy lunch and a happy kid!
Add crunches (granola, Rice Krispies, graham crackers)
Fruit – fruit cup (separately or mixed in with the yogurt)
Its easy to get overwhelmed by making lunch, but a bit of planning each week, you can save time and be less stressed. Plus, when you think ahead you are more likely to pick your child’s favorites that will have them excited to eat lunch each day.
Tell us what you think…