Back to School Lunch Tips
You've likely prepared hundreds of lunches over the years. If you just can't bear to pack another PB&J, use these tips to plan for a year of fun and nutritious school lunches that your child WON'T want to trade!
Plan Ahead – It's tempting to revert to packaged junk food or boring lunches when you’re short on time. Planning ahead will help you feel better about what your children are eating.
Involve the Kids – Children are more likely to eat what they've prepared. Discuss a lunch menu, new try new recipes and fun ideas. Add these items to the grocery list.
Taste Test – Trying new foods is important, but a school lunch is not the time to pack foods which have yet to pass your child's taste test. Try new things at home first and keep of list of favorites.
Get Organized – Once the menu items are purchased spend some time on early preparation; grate cheese, wash fruits and vegetables, prepare snack mixes, and dips, cut grapes into clusters, place juice boxes in the freezer etc. this will take about an hour of your weekend, but will save so much time during the week!
Storage Issues – Who has time in the morning to rush around looking for plastic containers, not to mention a matching lid? Before the school year begins, treat yourself to a new set of plastic lunch containers. Store them where the kids can reach, with zip-top bags, lunch bags, thermoses, wood craft sticks for spreading, plastic spoons, forks, napkins and straws. Every so often check to see if it's time to re-stock or even better ask the kids!
EWW, Gross mom! – Keep hot foods hot, cold foods cold and sandwiches from getting soggy. Purchase and use thermoses for their intended purpose. Freeze juice pouches and boxes, they'll help keep things cold. Place frozen juice boxes in a plastic bag to avoid condensation moisture. Pack lettuce and tomato separately to be added to sandwiches when they're ready to eat. Save or purchase ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard pouches to add to sandwiches at school (too hard for little ones).
No More Brown Apples – Keep a small water spray bottle filled with lemon juice and water in the fridge. Spray the cut apples before packing.
Make If Fun – When you include the ideas above in your back to school shopping, you'll be prepared to make a fun lunch every day!
For more great information and tips, contact Zach Bartness at the Zach Bartness Insruance Agency ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
