Many families are choosing to pack lunches for school and work. This practice can save time and money, and reduce waste. But as the days turn into weeks, it can become a grueling task to keep your lunch box ideas fresh and fun for the kids, as well as healthy. Here are some yummy homemade lunch ideas (or snacks) that will save your time and money while maximizing health!
- Kabobs. Sometimes, it’s all about presentation! Stringing bite-sized pieces of vegetables, cheese, fruit and cooked fish or meat chunks onto skewers can be just the thing to tempt your child’s taste-buds. It’s also a great way to introduce a new food strung among some old favorites.
- Make your own. In the evening, fill a small container with a tight-fitting lid with a smoothie mixture, or with alternating spoonsful of fat-free yogurt and fruit. Freeze. In the morning, pack a spoon and the frozen treat. It will still be semi-frozen by the time your child enjoys it at lunch, and it offers good nutrition in a “kid-friendly” way.
- Warm it up. Beyond sandwiches, think tacos, quesadillas, pasta and pizza for lunchtime variety that can be served hot or cold. An insulated thermos container can be a great way to pack warm soups, brown rice, whole-grain pasta dishes or oatmeal, as well as leftover dinners.
- Sandwich in variety. Even a simple change, such as from white sandwich bread to whole grain choices (including mini bagels, tortillas, pitas, muffins or crackers), can get kids more excited about good nutrition. Consider various fillings, such as a variety of thinly sliced vegetables, fruit chunks, dried fruit, fruit preserves, cooked dry beans, nuts, seeds peanut butter, hummus, egg or tuna salad, leftovers such as last night’s meatloaf, chili or shredded cooked chicken, roasted meats and poultry, and sliced cheeses. For example, spread peanut butter on a whole wheat tortilla, roll up a banana in it, and then slice it into pieces for easier eating. If you need a simple protein food, pack hardboiled eggs, low-fat cottage cheese, low-fat cheese chunks, canned tuna or peanuts.
- Get creative together. Ask your child for his or her lunch ideas. And when time permits, encourage your child to help pack his or her own lunch with you.