Back to school means packing lots of lunches. While some kids favor a PBJ sandwich every day, others are looking for more variety with bold flavors, varied textures and bright colors. An ideal lunch should be nutritious, satisfying, easy to eat, and enjoyable. In addition, they should be easy to prepare. Read on for some lunch ideas to get you on track for the new school year.
When considering what to pack for lunch, start with what you know your kids will eat. For example, do they prefer sandwiches, do they enjoy bowls, or do they like to pick and dip?
- Engage your children in a discussion about what works for them, then develop a list of different items that can be included in their lunch routine.
- Once you have ideas as to what your kids want for lunch, how will you send it? Will everything be disposable or will your kids need to bring home containers and insulated bento boxes at the end of the day?
- Engage your kids with lunch prep. Obviously, the degree of involvement will vary according to age. Some items can be prepped for several days, like snack bags of pretzels or containers of grapes.
Explore some quick ideas to get you ready for back-to-school lunches. Remember, there are easy ways to add variety that don’t require much added effort. Slight changes will help jazz up the offerings and provide an opportunity to “beef up” the nutrition content.
If sandwiches are the usual go-to…
- Bypass the traditional white bread. Consider whole grain muffins, tortillas, mini bagels, pitas, rice cakes, and rolls for a sandwich base.
- Take a bite out of this Stuffed Pita Sandwich with Hummus or grab a whole grain tortilla and create this tasty Vegetarian Wrap. Lose the bread altogether and munch on this Vegetarian Lettuce and Mushroom Wrap.
- Salad sandwiches traditionally use mayonnaise as a binding agent.
- Try different mustards, plain yogurt, light dressings, hummus, or avocado to add healthful interest to your sandwich.
- This Tuna Salad gets a low-fat makeover with yogurt and lemon juice in place of mayo. Grapes add some extra fiber and a bit of sweetness while the curry adds a great flavor boost.
- Step away from the traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwich and try this Peanut Butter and Strawberries option for a twist.
- Boost fruit and veggie intake:
- Use sandwiches as a vehicle to add vegetables like spinach, arugula, tomato slices, zucchini, cucumber strips, peppers strips, red onion, and grated carrots.
- Or incorporate sliced apples, pineapple, pears, or bananas into your sandwich.
- Go lean with protein.
- For a fun and tasty hand-held, this low-fat Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich is a win all the way around.
- Consider vegetarian options like this Veggie Chickpea Sandwich, loaded in high fiber, plant-based protein.
Recycle leftovers to create a bowl or pasta/grain salad for a lunch twist.
- These Taco Bowls are a fresh and healthy way to enjoy rich Mexican flavors. Made with seasoned ground chicken, fresh veggies, rice, and beans, they are topped with a creamy salsa verde.
- This Greek Burger Bowl features a juicy, grilled chicken burger, crisp veggies, and creamy tzatziki dressing.
- A delicious Pasta Salad with Garden Vegetables can be enhanced with some leftover grilled chicken, some cubed cheese, or some canned tuna.
- Prepare a Grilled Chicken Salad packed with fresh greens, juicy chicken, and crunchy roasted chickpeas. A tangy carrot dressing adds a pop of flavor, while avocado and pumpkin seeds make it hearty and satisfying.
Create interest and variety using a bento box. This provides an opportunity to add multiple items in an appealing presentation.
- Slice up these healthy Turkey and Hummus Wraps into pinwheels and round out lunch with some cut-up fruit and low-fat chips.
- These crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are full of flavor, juicy on the inside, and perfectly crunchy on the outside. Serve with dipping sauce and these Easy Fruit Kebabs.
- Sausage Egg Muffins packed with eggs, turkey sausage, and fresh veggies can be served with these colorful Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes that are bursting with flavor.
Lunch isn’t lunch without something sweet. These bite-sized Banana Bread Cookies are a delicious treat that the whole family will love.
Or try these Chocolate Zucchini Muffins. The muffins can be made in advance and defrosted on demand.
Packing school lunches should be fun and creative, not stressful. Plan ahead, stay organized, and expose your children to a variety of foods by combining new flavors and textures with true and tried favorites.
