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By Stephanie Vozza
Ahhh, the school cafeteria. It’s where kids first learn the fine art of negotiation. To ensure your kids eat what you packed (and not the mom down the street), here are some tips for packing the perfect lunch.
First, check your school’s guidelines. Some schools have a strict no-junk-food policy. Others have adopted a nut-free environment. Make sure your child stays on the right side of the cafeteria law.
For stress-free morning routines, pack lunches the night before. Be sure to ask for some input from your child. When children have a say in what goes into their lunch box, they’re more likely to eat it. Older kids can even pack their lunch themselves.
Remember most schools allow only 15 or 20 minutes for lunch. Make sure the foods you pack are easily opened and easy to eat.
Include foods from at least three of the five food groups. This not only is healthier, but it provides variety. For example, pack a slice of cheese, grilled chicken strips and grapes. Or send a hard-boiled egg, mini whole wheat bagel and carrots.
Small foods are easier to handle, and they can be more fun to eat. Cut sandwiches into four pieces, or use cookie cutters to make creative shapes. Kids love baby carrots and a sliced apple is more likely to be eaten than a whole one.
Skip the white bread. Instead, use crackers, mini bagels, small pita pockets or tortillas to create a unique sandwich.
Prepackaged lunches may be popular with kids, but they’re expensive and often not very nutritious. Create your own using nitrate-free lunch meats, real (not processed) cheese and whole wheat crackers. For even more kid appeal, use cookie cutters to make fun shapes.
Kids love “action” foods. Consider packing fruits or vegetables with yummy dips. Or thread pieces of fruit or cheese on a craft stick (safer than a toothpick), creating a mini kabob.
Remember food safety and keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Use a frozen gel pack or freeze a juice box or water bottle (be sure to ask your child if it had thawed by lunch time) to keep sandwiches and pudding from spoiling. When using an insulated thermos, rinse it with hot water before adding your food to keep it warm longer.
Bag the brown bag and choose an insulated lunchbox instead. Even better, let you child choose his or her lunchbox. (I remember how proud I was to carry my Monkees lunchbox; I never let it out of my sight and took exceptional care of it.) Make sure the lunchbox you choose is large enough to hold sturdy plastic containers for fruit or crackers. They’re not only earth-friendly, but they ensure food won’t get squished.
Thanks Stephanie!
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Also, here are some product suggestions to make packing lunches a little easier:
01. Extra Relish Lunch Tote
02. Bottle Slinger
03. Lunch Purse
