It’s back-to-school time, and along with the rush of school supply shopping, new backpacks, new clothes, sports practice and overall being overwhelmed comes the dreaded lunchbox dilemma – what should I pack for school lunch inside of that cute new lunchbox (or paper bag if they prefer)?! If your kids are like most kids, sandwich burnout comes quickly into the school year, and you start finding yourself on the hunt for new and creative sandwich alternatives and lunch ideas.
Here’s the thing — kids are fickle. One day, they love a certain granola bar and the next day they despise it, for some odd reason. They tire of certain foods and so switching up their choices often keeps their lunchtime interesting. Here is a few ideas for that change in palate we all experience.
FOOD ART
Moms and Dads will do just about anything to get their kids excited about going back to school. One of the easiest ways is through their stomach, and by letting them play with their food. With a little inspiration, google searches and some time, food art will not only get your kids excited to eat but they’re certainly appreciate you for it.
HEALTHY FOOD
We promise they won't hate them. Well, maybe we don't "promise." Here's the trick to healthy eating for kids: Get them involved in the creating process! It's interactive, offers quality time for you and your child, allows for learning experiences, and produces delicious results. If you're looking for nutritious ideas that children will actually finish, try recipes that are sure to win approval.
Some great options for healthy meals are:
Mason Jar Salad: Kids will love shaking them up before they open the lid and dig in. Pack them with plenty of nutritious ingredients, such as cooked chicken, carrots, eggs cherry tomatoes and avocado. Whatever they like is the idea.
Take to School Taco Bar: Every kid loves taco night. Pack them the ingredients to make their own tacos at school. They'll have fun creating and you can even add healthy versions with guacamole and chicken.
Wraps: Spinach, whole wheat or tomato wraps are a great option. You can fill them with some of their favorites -- peanut butter and bananas; turkey and cheese, chicken salad with cranberries. The options are endless.