Back to Lunches
Packing lunches for school-age kids can be a real chore, especially if they’re choosy. But hey, it’s a new year, so it's a great time to shake up our game plan!
Packing lunches for school-age kids can be a real chore, especially if they’re choosy. But hey, it’s a new year, so it's a great time to shake up our game plan!
Involve the kids in planning their own lunches, especially if they’re too young to really help with making them. Sit down together and make a list so no one questions the sudden appearance of pimento loaf in their lunchbox.
Cut up vegetables and wash fruit the night before to save precious time during the morning rush.
Invest in a great thermos with a wide neck. They’re great for keeping hot foods hot, and they really work. Think beyond soup! Things like spaghetti or leftover Two-Cheese Chicken and Pasta Bake are healthy and filling, and would make a great little lunch. Even things like pancakes and egg dishes could work well in a thermos.
Don’t be tempted to pack a sweet “dessert” every day. Kids just don't need the extra sugar.
Be aware of food allergies in your child’s classroom. If you haven't already tried it, test-drive some soy-butter and jam sandwiches with your family. It tastes remarkably similar to PB & J. You may be surprised.
Buying larger packages of things like cheese, yogurt, applesauce, or fruit cocktail and transferring them into smaller reusable tends to be cheaper (and definitely better for the environment) than individually packaged containers.
Other lunchbox additions:
If you have some of your own great lunch recipes we’d love it if you logged in and shared them with our community or on our Facebook page!