Packing lunches for your kids to take to school or camp can be one of the most overwhelming aspects of parenting. OK, maybe that’s a little overly-dramatic, but if you are a mom with school-aged children, you know there is some element of truth to this statement!
There is so much to talk about when it comes to talking about lunches:
How do you keep it healthy?
How do you pack stuff they will actually eat?
What should you pack?
Who does the packing?
When should it be packed?
Let’s take these one at a time so we can make this process less stressful and more SIMPLE, SUSTAINABLE & FUN!
How do you keep it healthy?
As an IDW, you probably don’t have time to be cutting out heart-shaped sandwiches and writing love notes to your kids every day. The best trick to keeping a healthy lifestyle is keeping it simple and packing your kids’ lunches is no exception. In fact, they probably prefer it this way because they know exactly what they are getting! Pick an item from our lunch-packing matrix and your lunch is done!
Each lunch includes one of each: main course (includes protein), fruit, veggie, healthy snack.
When your kids expect that these 4 components make up every packed lunch, it is much easier to keep it healthy and make it simple! Bento boxes are great options to make this process even easier.
How do you pack stuff they will actually eat?
There is nothing more frustrating than your kids coming home after school with a full lunchbox. Especially after the effort you put into packing it! Throwing out spoiled food and having grumpy, hungry kids is a bad combo for any mom! Using the lunch-packing matrix above, solve this problem by ASKING YOUR KIDS what they want for each category. This takes the guess work out of the equation for you and it is likely that your kids will come home well-nourished and happy!
What should you pack?
Again, stick to the matrix! But here are some options for each category:
Main course–sandwich (a classic, but easy! Try a twist on the standard such as Almond Butter & Honey vs. PB&J; sliced turkey with hummus and spinach rolled up in a tortilla; left over pasta with turkey meatballs; bean, cheese and rice burrito)
Reusable containers are great to store dipping sauces.
Fruit–apples, bananas, oranges, pears are great options year-round. Applesauce pouches are also a great option, especially for younger kids.
Veggies–baby carrots, snap peas, broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, celery sticks; you can even doctor these up by adding a dip like yogurt sauce or hummus
Healthy snack–Rx Bars, trail mix, pretzels, string cheese
*If your school is nut-free, Sunflower Seed butter is a great alternative to nut butters
Who does the packing?
Packing lunches is something that can easily be delegated to even the youngest children. Have your kids help by picking out their fruits, veggies and snacks. They will have fun filling up the Bento box and also feel empowered by participating in the process. For older children (3rd grade+), make packing lunches their responsibility. It may take a few times of doing it together, but once they get the hang of it and follow the matrix, this is one less chore you have on your plate.
When should it be packed?
That is always a tricky question. Certain things can be packed the night before, but others are best packed the morning of. To make your life as easy as possible, prepare the items you can the night before (i.e. fruit, veggies and snack) and save the main course for the morning. If you plan ahead you will find yourself much happier than if you wait to do it all during the regular morning chaos.
While packing lunches might not be your (or your kids’) favorite activity, it is something that has to get done! By simplifying the process and preparing ahead of time, you will be thankful to have earned back some time in your day and feel less stress with this every day necessity.
