Learning
A New Year, A New Lunchbox (Let’s Change It Up A Bit)
by Karen Schachter, contributing editor
Another school year brings with it many new adventures:
A new teacher
New friends
A new classroom
New homework assignments
New clothes
New shoes
A new backpack
A new lunch box
Were you breathing easy before you read that last line?
Me too.
Why is it that packing lunch causes parents such angst? Whether it’s the morning rush, figuring out how to feed a picky eater, trying to decide what to pack, or just not knowing how to keep it healthy, there seems to be a lot of frustration and confusion around this topic!
Here are a few tips and a chart that should help make your morning lunch-packing routine easier, healthier and more organized:
- Prepare as much as you can the night before. I know this is a pain and the last thing you want to do after cleaning up from dinner is to think about lunch the next day. But if there are leftovers, consider packing them in “lunch-sized” containers and you’ve got part of it done the next day.
- Use mini, reusable containers (better for the environment and better for your child—just make sure they are BPA-free). These can help keep you organized: One container for the “main meal,” two for the sides, and a water bottle for the drink.
- Keep it real. I know lunch-ables are easy and pudding packs are sought-after at the lunch table, but those foods are not going to nourish your child’s brain optimally. A healthy—aka, real food—lunch is loaded with more nutrients and vitamins, without the additives and sugar.
- Keep it interesting. It’s so easy to get into a rut, which is not only boring for your child, but boring for you as well. Check out the chart below for plenty of different options.
- Involve your child in the planning. Even the youngest ones can have a say in what they like and can help you wash an apple, scoop out some hummus, or spread some almond butter. The more a child is involved in his or her meal, the more likely he is to eat it!
