Lunch Box Tips To The Rescue

This is such a bittersweet time at my house. While summer was fun and (sometimes) relaxing, even my kids are ready to get some “routine” back into their lives. 

The very thought, however, of having to put lunch boxes together for my children each day used to make me cringe and somewhat stressed if I hadn’t prepared properly! It was always a struggle to come up with healthy, yet creative and tasty treats my kids would actually be excited to eat. 

As I am in constant organizing research mode, I discovered this brilliant idea and I'm thrilled to share it with you.

These “do-ahead” tips will make it fun and easy for your family too: 

• Prepare containers of pre-made portions. Weekly (Sundays are obviously ideal), prepare a container of pre-made portions of “cold” options (fruit; veggies; individual yogurt; hummus; etc.) plus another container for pre-made portions of “non-perishable snacks” (crackers; chips; beef jerky; cookies; etc). The key here is “PRE-MADE” which takes the daily guesswork out of your already hectic mornings! Use any container or basket you have on hand. Mix it up every week. Kids need and enjoy variety.

• Pre-assemble lunch boxes the night before. Put all non-perishable items in the lunch boxes, so all you or your child have to do the next morning is select a cold option or two from your “pre-made” container in the fridge, and away they go.

For those children who are old enough, by all means have them create their own lunch. You can’t make it any easier than this.

Another idea my 8-year-old especially likes is the use of a “Bento Box." I think she likes the compartments, and I am inspired to fill them. Check the Bento Boxes on Amazon.com. They are everywhere these days. My daughter actually selected her lunch box at Costco this year, and it comes with a great Bento Box with removable compartments.

Remember to start your kids’ day with a breakfast high in protein to satisfy their tummies all morning. At the end of the day, rely on your “meal plan,” which I shared with you in a June 2012 blog to continue your stress-free day, at least as far as your meals are concerned.

I hope you’ll share your lunch box ideas with us.

Happy Back-to-School!