Healthy Lunch Anyone?

There is an excitement that shows up in the air sometime in August. Summer is drawing to a close. By the end of summer, parents and children alike are starting to look forward to the structure and routine of the beginning of a new school year. The focus changes from vacation to combing stores for just the right clothes, backpacks, and school supplies to get children everything they will need for the first day of school.

In the flurry of activity, one thing that might slip through the cracks is how to fuel those little bodies with healthy lunches that will set them up for success. Chances are those munchkins have picked out the perfect lunch box as well. Packing that lunchbox with lunches that are healthy and kids will want to eat can be quite a challenge.

As a teacher, I see first hand the difference fueling your children’s minds and bodies with healthy food can make in their ability to focus and learn.

Sandwiches, chips, and cookies have been the mainstay of school lunch for as long as I can remember. Lunch doesn’t have to be the same empty calories day after day. There are so many yummy options. I want to give parents some out of the box healthy ideas that will spice up those new lunch boxes with lunches children will want to eat and not trade.

With a little planning, healthy lunches can be a breeze. It helps to shop on the weekends. Get the children involved in the picking and the packing. Allowing the kids to help, can also teach them to eat a well balanced meal. A good rule of thumb for packing is 1 main dish, 1 fruit, 1 vegetable, 1 snack, and 1 treat. Packing lunches the night before, greatly reduces morning stress.

Don’t forget to grab reusable containers and ice packs. Freezing juice boxes, yogurt, and water bottles is a great way to keep lunches cool and fresh.

Main Course

Wraps
Baked Potato
Pasta Salad
Quesadilla
Soup
Leftovers
Tacos
Ka-bobs
Grilled Chicken
Tuna
Hard Boiled Egg
Jerky
Turkey

Fruits and Vegetables

Coleslaw
Pickles
Edamame
Avocado
Snap Peas
Berries
Apple sauce
Dried Fruit
Fruit or Vegetable Ka-bobs

Snacks

Nuts
Hummus
Popcorn
Trail Mix
Yogurt
Granola
Cheese
Rice cakes
Pretzels

Treats

Bite size candy bars
Small packages of candy
Cookies

School days can be long without mom and dad. A great way to bring a smile to your child’s face is to place an encouraging note in their lunch box. They might need a little wink from home.

Kids also love jokes. You can print kid friendly jokes off of the internet and throw one in their box here and there. They will be a hit at their lunchroom table.

It takes a little more time and planning to provide healthy lunches for your kiddos. The pay off is healthy, happy, well fueled children.

Here are a few to get you started:

• What is a pirate’s favorite letter? —- Rrrrrrrr!
• What do you call a flying skunk? —- A smelly – copter!
• Where do sheep go to get their hair cut? —- The baa – baa shop.
• What do you call an alligator in a vest? —- An investogator.
• What did the buffalo say when his son left to go to school? —- Bison.
• Why did the cow cross the road? —- Because he wanted to go to the moooovies.
• Why did the cookie go to the doctor? —- Because he was feeling crumby.
• What did one plate say to the other plate? —- Lunch is on me.
• What type of socks do pirates wear? —- Arrrrrrrrgyle.
• Why was 10 scared? —- Because 7 ate 9.
• How do you make a tissue dance? —- Put a little boogie in it.
• What do you call a train that sneezes? —- Achoo choo train.
• Why did the golfer pack an extra pair of pants? —- In case he got a hole in one.
• What did one eye say to the other eye? —- Something smells between us.
• What stays hot in the fridge? —- A hot dog!
• What is a rabbit’s favorite kind of music? —- Hip Hop.
• What do you call a sleeping T-Rex? —- A dinosnore!
• What did one pencil say to the other pencil? —- Man, you’re looking sharp!

These have been taken from Jill’s Blog. To visit other great ideas she has, please visit here HERE.

Amour xo