Lunch Ideas for Kids: The Sweetest Back-to-School Return
Ideje za školski ručak za decu
Fall is upon us, which also marks the beginning of a new school year. If you’re a parent, grandparent, guardian, or caregiver, chances are you’re packing a lunchbox. We understand that this can become repetitive, and thinking about what to pack every day can be daunting, but we have a few tips and recipes that will make lunches easy, fun, and nutritious!
Here are 6 tips to consider when preparing a nutritious lunch:
1. Lunch is a balanced meal based on traditional recipes and ingredients, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
2. Think inside the box! Bento boxes are fun, as are snack plates; both contain diverse foods and help control portions. You can also save time by prepping weekly lunches in advance and storing them in containers. Try packing chopped fruits, vegetables, crackers, dips, or a few cubes of traditional cheese. Both kids and adults will enjoy the opportunity to have a varied meal during lunchtime!
3. Encourage your kids to get involved! Offer them various healthy options and let them choose how they feel that day. Moreover, their early involvement will help them appreciate healthy eating and cooking at home (there’s nothing quite like home-cooked meals).
4. Skip sugary drinks! Replace sodas and sweet juices with healthier options like water, unsweetened iced tea, or agua fresca (a combination of fruit/seeds/grains/flowers with water and a bit of sugar).
5. The easiest way to prepare a satisfying, healthy lunch: save leftovers from dinner! If you cook for two, make a recipe that yields four servings so that everyone has one for lunch the next day.
6. If your child isn’t interested in eating vegetables, try making them more appealing in various ways. Use mini cookie cutters to shape fruits and vegetables into fun forms that will encourage your kids to eat more of them! And if you don’t succeed at first, try again. Children’s tastes change so much during development, and it might take a few different attempts over time before a child finds new food initially acceptable and then enjoyable.
Kid-Friendly Recipe Ideas:
- ABC Meatball Soup
Find alphabet-shaped pasta and jazz up the meal. Also fits nicely in a thermos!
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
This flavorful soup, also thermos-friendly, with beans and corn is a perfect school lunch option. To make it more appealing to kids, add tortilla strips.
- Mac and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a classic! Add a little peas, green beans, or broccoli to make it healthier!
- Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes
Pesto pasta is a favorite among many parents. It’s great cold or at room temperature. You can make your own pesto or use store-bought pesto. Pesto can also be made from seeds, like sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
- Beet Salad Sandwiches
Chicken salad sandwiches are great for a school lunch! This one is especially fun for kids because it’s pink! Make the chicken salad the night before for quick morning assembly.
- Cocoa Energy Bites
These bite-sized snacks are a tasty treat you can include after lunch.