Quinn doesn’t start school until 9/9…like what?! Sooo late…basically Christmas break, but many of your kids are back to school and you’re back to packing lunches. I’ve had many requests from moms who are packing lunches for the first time asking for tips, tricks, and meal ideas! I’ve got you!
I encourage you to think about packing your kiddos lunch with the same mindset that you (hopefully) think about when planning your own meals. You want to pack foods that keep your little one full and provides lots of long lasting energy! Think protein, healthy fats, fiber, and complex carbs.
Examples of each food group:
PROTEIN: deli meat, nut or seed butter, hummus, beans, edamame, hard boiled egg, yogurt, and/or cheese
HEALTHY FATS: avocado, nuts, seeds, avocado mayo, veggie dips, or pesto
FIBER: fresh whole fruits and vegetables (apple sauce and dried fruit don’t provide adequate fiber to keep your child full) This is your chance to add some color to their lunch!
*Quinn likes freeze dried strawberries and dried mango, so if I pack this I will also try to pack a fresh fruit and/or vegetable option as well for adequate fiber*
COMPLEX CARBS: whole wheat bread, crackers, tortillas, pita, quinoa, rice, or pasta.
Another thing to remember is that when your child is at school there is peer pressure to eat lunch. Everyone is doing it and bonus…they can’t whine politely ask you to make them something different. If they are hungry enough they will eat what you’ve packed them. I know I get a lot of eye rolls with some of the healthier options I pack Quinn for school lunches, but she eats it because she’s hungry! I’ve learned school lunches are the time to load her up on all the good stuff.
Here are the lunch boxes, bags, water bottles, ice packs, name stickers, etc. we use and love:
Here are some examples of camp snacks + lunches I packed Quinn this summer.
5 More Lunch Ideas:
Turkey, avocado, cheese roll up + whole grain crackers + sliced cucumbers + hummus + apple slices
Salami + cheese + whole grain pretzels + grapes + cherry tomatoes
Egg salad sandwich + blueberries + baby carrots + Primal Kitchen ranch or hummus
Pesto pasta salad + strawberries + edamame + mini mozzarella cheese balls
Whole wheat bagel + peanut butter + banana + strawberries + whole milk yogurt pouch
I also wrote this post a few years back when Quinn was starting pre-K with more lunch ideas!
Continue to follow along on IG stories and I will periodically share more ideas as I start packing Quinn’s lunches for Kindergarten.
Here’s to a happy and healthy school year!
xx, A
