Back to school means it’s time to think of creative ways to provide healthy lunches to kids. Truth be told, there are times that packing school lunches can redundant and seen as a ‘chore’ for parents. Help is on the way! Here are some simple things to try to make the experience a little more pleasant.
- Involve your kids – have them pick fruit for their lunch, pack crackers, or fill up juice / water bottles. When they feel they have ownership into what they are eating, they are more likely to eat it!
- Meal-prep on the weekend or cook in bulk. – It’s always a good idea to make a few extra servings of kid’s favorite snack or meals. Muffins, pasta, or rice & beans store very easily in the freezer! They can be taken out the night before and will defrost the next morning to pack a fun and healthy lunch. It’s also helpful to spend an hour over the weekend preparing snack bags for an easy Grab & Go.
- Consider “convenience” foods such as berries, olives, jerky, boiled eggs, or strong cheese. These are easy to pack ahead in snack bags.
A healthy lunch doesn’t have to be a chore. Motivation is the first successful ingredient to a healthy lunch and ultimately a happy child!
