Lunch Rut SOS
With kids back in school we know that packing lunches can be a giant pain...and that lunch ruts are real. I recently visited (via Zoom) KXAN Austin’s Studio 512, where I regularly contribute, with some different options for packing lunch. After taking a look at some of my top tips and picks, give them a try…I’m curious to know what works (and what doesn’t) in your house!
I recently stopped by Studio 512 on KXAN, Austin to share tips for packing lunches your kids will love!
TIP 1: Bento Boxes
Kids love nothing more than a little bit of a lot of things. I LOVE BENTGO lunchboxes to help navigate a great bento box style meal for my kids. Just fill the slots with anything your kid loves. Some of my favorites include:
Deconstructed Parfait: yogurt, granola, fruit, dried fruit, pomegranate seeds. (We LOVE Purely Elizabeth and Jessica’s Granola.)
Mediterranean Style: Hummus, pita or pita chips, tomatoes, cucumbers, falafel or tofu, feta cheese
Lunch Fiesta: Nacho chips, shredded cheese, guac, tomato, beans, chopped lettuce, corn.( TIP: Wholly Guacamole makes individual packs of guacamole so you don’t have to worry about it turning brown.)
A Better for You (than Lunchables) Charcuterie: A couple of cheeses, salami and/or prosciutto, dried fruit, jam, grapes, crackers. My favorite place to find interesting and reasonably priced charcuterie ideas is Trader Joes, hands down.
Another option is to use the BENTGO Stackable Salad Container, $14.99 and send your child with a heathy salad complete with multiple toppings and their favorite dressing.
TIP 2: HOT LUNCH
A lot of moms think you can’t pack something hot because it gets cold. But, we've been using this Thermos Guardian Food Jar, which comes with a foldable spork, to take hot lunch items to school for years and my kids have never once complained about the food being too cold. Some of the items we send include soup, pasta dishes or even chicken and rice, or leftover stir fry from the night before.
TIP 3: Include a TREAT you won’t feel guilty about!
My kids LOVE to have a treat in their lunches. However I really walk a fine line with this as I don’t want to overload them on sugar which can make them sluggish for their afternoon classes. I have found some great items that they love (and I love!) that fit the bill.
Partake Cookies: Created by a mom who's daughter had severe food allergies, these are school-safe---gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO and free of the top 14 allergens. These cookies come in multiple flavors like Chocolate Chip and Birthday Cake and are made with real, healthy, and safe ingredients.
Lesser Than Evil Popcorn: We love the popcorn but they have a whole variety to choose from. Made from organic ingredients, these are some of the cleanest snacks out there. https://lesserevil.com/
Smart Sweets: With Up To 92% Less Sugar Than Traditional Candy. Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth, No Added Sugar, No Sugar Alcohols, and Naturally Flavored. They even have plant-Based Options. https://smartsweets.com/
Unreal Snacks: Our favorite chocolate snacks reinvented using only real, simple ingredients and with way less sugar. For real. These are amazing---my whole family loves them. The nut-free options are the best to send to school.
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