lunch time ideas for the school year

The end of summer is just around the corner, or for some of you is already gone. One of the things I had a hard time with last year was packing lunches for my kids. I wanted healthy options but also something that they would enjoy. It was a struggle everyday coming up with new ideas because we all know eating the same thing day after day is no fun!!

My solution was to come up with a menu each week. I took the time to look up different ideas and prep the night before if that was necessary. This helped keep my mornings a little less chaotic because I had a plan in place.

Here is a list of ideas that I complied that will hopefully help you out for the upcoming school year.

Start with a grain or protein item:

-Turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread

–PB & J (you can also substitute peanut butter with almond butter or cream cheese)

– Black beans and brown rice with salsa or fried rice with chicken, beans, or tofu.

– Chicken and quinoa

– Hummus and crackers

– Spinach and cheese quesadilla

– Whole-wheat pasta and turkey

– Ham and cheese with a pretzel pinwheel

– Mac and cheese with peas or spinach

Add a fruit item:

-Apples                                                      – Pineapples

-Clementines                                            – Olives

-Peaches                                                    – Grapes

-Watermelon                                            –  Any type of berries (strawberries, blueberries, etc)

– Kiwi                                                          – Applesauce

– Pears                                                         – Cherry tomatoes

-Peaches

Then some vegetables:

– Carrots                                                      – Edamame

– Broccoli                                                     – Snap peas

– Salad                                                          – Cauliflower

– Cucumbers                                               – Corn

– Snow peas                                                – Mini bell peppers

And a small treat or snack:

– Z bar                                                           – Whole-wheat cheese crackers

– Fruit leather                                              – Mini whole-wheat banana bread or any other bread/muffin

– String cheese                                             – Smart popcorn

– Yogurt                                                         – Granola bar

– Veggie chips/sticks                                  – Kale chips

Obviously there are more options out there but hopefully this list will get the creative wheel turning.   Making a menu/list for the week was a lifesaver for me. It cut down my kitchen time and allowed me to relax a little bit more during those crazy mornings.   Like I said before, this also works well with prepping the night before. It’s all about your preference and what works best for you.