Making Sure Your Child Eats Healthy and Tasty Lunches

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Are you looking for tips on packing lunch boxes? Would you like to ensure your child is eating healthy throughout the school year? Maybe you are a homeschooler who is packing lunches at night to save time during the day, or your child needs a lunch at the co-op and you are struggling to find healthy solutions. If so, you have come to the right place! This blog post will discuss tips that will help you pack a nutritious and delicious lunch box for your child. Follow these tips, and your child will be sure to have a nutritious meal at school!

1) Plan ahead: 

Planning ahead is key when it comes to packing healthy foods for lunch.. If you know what you are going to pack the night before, you are more likely to make healthier choices.

Meal prepping is a great way to ensure that you have healthier options on hand when you need them instead of waiting for the morning rush. If you have leftovers from dinner, pack them for lunch the next day. If you know you will be short on time in the morning, prepare some or all of your child’s lunch the night before.

Packing a lunch box does not have to be complicated or time-consuming. A simple sandwich with some fruit and vegetables will do the trick!

Other ideas for easy and great lunches are trail mix, fresh fruit (apple slices, grapes), cut veggies (baby carrots, cucumber slices, celery sticks – who remembers eating celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins?), or even a charcuterie board lunch with deli meat, cheese sticks, crackers, cream cheese).

2) Make sure to have essential supplies:

There is nothing worse than going to pack a lunch and finding out that you are missing sandwich bags and having to run out to the grocery store at the last minute. Having essential lunch supplies on hand is key to packing great lunch boxes.

Keep a stash of the following supplies:

Brown Paper Lunch Bags or your children’s favorite lunch boxes. We do have some cute Bento boxes in our house.

Reusable lunch bags

Plastic Sandwich Bags

Small plastic containers

A cold pack or ice pack

Napkins – consider reusable napkins

Hot Thermos bottles or thermos containers for hot food such as soups, spaghetti and meatballs, oatmeal, or leftovers.

Eating utensils – consider reusable travel utensils – fork, knife, spoon.

Silicone Cupcake Liners – if you are using a Bento box, these cups will hold fruit or snack items.

3) Keep it fun and interesting:

Packing the same lunch daily can get boring for you and your child. Mix things up to keep it interesting!

Try packing a variety of different foods, such as sandwiches, wraps, rolls, sushi, pasta salad, tortilla chips with salsa or other dips, or rice and beans. Include some finger foods that your child can eat with their hands, such as carrot sticks, celery sticks, grapes, cherry tomatoes, or cheese cubes.

And don’t forget to include a sweet treat! A cookie, trail mix with chocolate chips, or piece of fruit will make your child’s lunch box extra special.

4) Get to know more about nutrition:

If you want to pack a healthier lunch box, it is important to learn more about nutrition. Do you know the difference between healthy fat and unhealthy fats? Have you This will help you make better choices when it comes to the food you pack for your child.

Getting a nutrition certification to learn more about the nutrients that your child needs will not only help you pack great lunches, but it will help when you are serving on any school committee or volunteering for sports mom. This will also give you a better understanding of portion sizes and make sure you don’t just pack empty calories for your child.

Packing lunch boxes is easier when you have a good knowledge of nutrition!

5) Make sure your child is getting enough protein:

Protein is an important nutrient for growing children. It helps to build and repair muscle tissue, and it also provides energy.

Include some protein-rich foods in your child’s lunch box, such as chicken, tuna, hard-boiled eggs, peanut butter, or beans. These foods will help to keep your child full and focused throughout the day.

6) Vitamins and minerals are essential:

Vitamins and minerals are important for overall health and well-being. They help to boost the immune system, and they also play a role in energy production.

Make sure that your child’s lunch box includes some foods that are high in vitamins and minerals, such as fruits and vegetables. These foods will help to keep your child healthy and energized throughout the day.

7) Don’t forget about hydration when packing lunch boxes:

It is essential to keep your children hydrated during the school day. After lunch, tiredness often sets in because they haven’t had enough to drink during the day. Pack a water bottle in their lunch, and make sure they drink before they leave home. If you notice they are unusually thirsty when they get home, you may need to consider more fluids in their lunch and book bag.

Make sure to avoid sugary drinks. Instead, choose water, juice – orange, grape, or apple are always favorites or even vegetable juices. Many children love

8) Start the day with a good breakfast:

A nutritious breakfast will set the tone for the rest of the day. It will give your child the energy and focus on getting through the morning. Make sure to include some protein and healthy fats in their breakfast to keep them full until lunchtime.

Packing lunch boxes that are healthy for your child is not difficult. By following these simple tips, you can pack a nutritious and delicious meal that your child will love! And don’t forget, a little bit of planning goes a long way.