How to Pack an A+ Lunch This School Year!

It’s that time of year again… back to school! One thing that means in our house is getting back into the habit of packing lunches. I don’t know about you, but packing a healthy lunch that I know my kid will eat is so important to me. Just as breakfast plays an important start to the day, lunch will help your child through the afternoon. I want to fill my kids lunches with healthy, delicious, REAL food. I want to be sure to pack healthy lunches that I know my kids will love.

Mom & Kid Approved Snacks/Drinks

Welch’s Fruit Rolls deliver the same quality consumers love in Welch’s Fruit Snacks, in a new, irresistibly fun format. Featuring fruit as its first ingredient, they come in three mouthwatering flavors: Berry, Tropical Punch, and White Grape Strawberry.

The Little Kernel is a miniature popcorn brand with a unique, hulless, “miniature kernel.” Popped in 100% pure olive oil, each kernel is gluten-free, non-GMO, dairy-free, kosher and certified whole grain.

Go Organically Fruit Snacks are USDA-certified organic, made with real fruit, GMO-free, gluten-free and preservative-free. Even better, these tasty and smart snacks are only 70 calories for each individual pack.

Viki’s Granola On-the-Go Packs are made with 100% all natural ingredients, gluten-free and baked with love. With a fresh, soft and chewy texture, Viki’s Granola is great to enjoy on its own or with yogurt for a nutritious snack.

Gaea Organic Snack Olives are packed in a handy re-sealable package, without liquid, allowing the convenience of snacking now and later. 100% natural, containing zero additives or preservatives and very low salinity, Gaea’s Organic Olives make for a delicious savory snack.

Sparkling Ice’s 8oz. Slim Cans. This slightly carbonated light and refreshing beverage contains Zero Calories, Zero Carbs, is Gluten Free, and is Sodium Free.

Brooklyn Organics is the perfect beverage for those looking for a sugar-free drink option. Each contains a bold fizz in a svelte packaging and is USDA Organic-certified, non-GMO, Kosher, Gluten Free and Caffeine Free.

AquaBall’s naturally flavored water is the only zero-sugar, zero-calorie, zero-preservative children’s beverage around. Available in four flavors and featuring fan favorite Disney and Marvel characters, AquaBall is not only fun for kids, but also smart for parents.

Bento Style

One method I found that works for us is the bento style lunch. A bento box is a compacted, balanced, visually appealing (optional) packed lunch. Packed in reusable containers, they reduce lunch waste such as plastic baggies and disposable containers, and allow you to pack a better variety of food for lunch. This also makes it easy to monitor portion control. I love the idea of many small things to make up a well-rounded, nutritious lunch.

Basic Ingredients For A Healthy Lunch

1-Add a starch or protein

2-Add fruit

3-Add veggies

4-Add a healthy snack

5-Add water or sugar-free juice

Be Organized

The more ahead of time that I can prep, the more organized and ready I feel in the morning. It also saves me from throwing junk in my kids’ lunches. I almost always make my lunches the night before. It saves a few minutes in the morning that you could use to make that healthy breakfast. Consider doing a lunch prep session on the weekend. A friend of mine cuts all of her fruit and veggies for the week on Sunday night so they are ready to toss in a lunch box. Make a master list of lunches and set certain food for certain days, or rotate through as you’d like. That way you are never wondering what you should pack, and your kids can look forward to their favorites! Last but not least, I add a fun lunch box note to encourage my child, or just to make them smile. I also print them out ahead of time (enough for about one month) and cut them out so they are ready to use. Encourage your kids to help! My older two love making sandwiches and adding the fruit they like. Plus, that means less work for me!