Back to school means a whole new schedule in our house and a
well-planned strategy for making easy and nutritious lunches that the kids will
eat. Here are a few of my tips for a successful lunch box!
1) Follow a simple formula: protein + 3 colors + healthy grains.
A colorful, well-balanced meal is a healthy meal. When you pack lunches, follow my simple formula: protein + 3 colors + healthy grains. Keep a list of favorite foods by color for inspiration. Aim for two of the colors to be veggies. Steer clear of dried fruits to avoid cavities and the sugar high.
2) Get your kids involved!
Brainstorm foods that the kids would like to eat and let them choose the menu. Take them shopping with you to pick their foods and when you can, let the kids prepare their lunches. Anything on a stick is usually a winner (consider using straws for little ones) and cookie or sandwich cutters (like the Lunch Punch) make sandwich-building fun for everyone.
3) Gear up.
The right gear can make all of the difference. Here are my faves:
Built Neoprene Lunch Tote – washes easily which means no fear when fruit gets mushed in the bag.
LunchBots – compact, easy to wash, and separates food
nicely.
Camelbak Kids – they don’t spill, enough said.
Thermos Lava Food Jar – to keep the hot things hot.
Wax Paper Bags – to save the sea turtles. (at Mollie Stone’s and Whole Foods)
Lunch Lines – for a giggle.
This article appears in the September 2011 issue of Jen's column, Healthy Eating, that is featured in the Burlingame Mothers' Club newsletter each month. The BMC is a local mothers group in the Bay Area with over 1,700 members in Burlingame, Hillsborough and San Mateo. Jen is an active member and former President of the club.
Wraps are a huge hit in our house. PB&J wraps, chicken with avocado, eggs and cheese. The possibilities are endless. Let the kids choose the ingredients and make the rolls themselves -- it's fun and super easy. Choose whole wheat tortillas if you can. http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/kid-friendly_wraps/
My daughter selected Romaine lettuce this week as the new food she'd like to try to 2x her points! We'll give Simply Recipe's un-Cobb salad a try...lots of things to like in this one!
This recipe brings back fond memories for me. My gram used to make it with Ricotta cheese instead of Gruyere. Equally yummy. Thanks Simply Recipes for another tasty, healthy, kid-friendly recipe: Asparagus Frittata!
Kebabs are a fun and easy way to mix it up for the kids. You can also get all 5 colors on one stick :) Thanks to Simply Recipes for this tasty recipe: Beef Kebabs.
