lunch time ideas for the school year

kids lunches

kids lunches

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.

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