Send your kids back to school with healthy foods in their lunch box! Summer is coming to a close and school is right around the corner. If you are a parent, you are probably cherishing the peace and calm from having your kids at home all summer looking to be entertained. But one of the more challenging things as a parent is coming up with healthy and nutritious snacks on the go for your children – that they’ll eat.

Consider purchasing a bento style lunchbox (we like Onyx stainless steel lunch boxes which are more sustainable on the environment and decrease packaging waste) so you can easily arrange healthy food items. And remember to buy organic whenever possible (especially for animal products like dairy, poultry, and meat).

Here's some helpful lunch menu ideas with healthy food hacks to follow!

MONDAY

Hard Boiled Eggs
Baby Carrots + Ranch dressing (consider making your own without the additives and preservatives)
Peaches
Applesauce

TUESDAY

Turkey Slices or roll ups
Fresh Berries
Yogurt (sugar free, you can add fresh fruit)
Trail Mix

WEDNESDAY

Hummus
Pita Bread
Grape Tomatoes
Cucumber slices
Sliced Oranges

THURSDAY

Cheese Quesadilla
Guacamole
Salsa
Tortilla Chips
Strawberries

FRIDAY

Shredded BBQ chicken + Cheese Kabobs
Red Pepper Slices
Apples
Carrots with almond butter

Interested in learning more about healthy products and foods for your kids, check out the Environmental Working Groups website. They have everything covered from the best sunscreens to the top rated pesticides in produce.

Water

Plain water is the best drink for kids (and adults). If your child is used to juice and you want to transition her/him to water, try adding a few berries to water for some taste? Some frozen blueberries or raspberries can add some zing to water and keep it cool at the same time.

Sneaky vegetable hack

While you’re steaming carrots, sweet potato or cauliflower for dinner, set a cup or two aside. Blend with ¾ cup of water (more if the mixture is thick) and when smooth and liquidy, add to a thermos lunch, like soup, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs. Combine well, and your kids will never know.

Seed/Nut butter apple

Keep skin on apple and use a corer/slicer to remove the core and cut the apple into even pieces. Assemble the apple back together and secure with a rubber band. Add a spoonful of your favourite nut or seed butter (pumpkin or sunflower butters are delicious and safe for “nut-free” schools) inside the cored section and wrap the entire apple in plastic wrap.

When your child unwraps the apple and takes off the rubber band, the apple pieces already have a layer of yummy spread on top!

Reusable lunch containers

Some schools are starting to crack down on plastic bags and wrap and are encouraging parents and students to pack lunches in reusable containers instead. Bento boxes are especially popular. They are already sectioned so lunch and recess snacks are all conveniently packed in one container. Just make sure the plastic is BPA free. You can buy stainless steel snack containers now as well which are much safer in a classroom than glass. I like Onyx, it's expensive, but it'll last a lifetime!

Lunchbox Love

A quick search on Pinterest will lead you to some downloadable daily affirmations that you can print out, cut up and include one in your child’s lunch bag every day. For younger kids that don’t yet read, include pictures of hearts or cute animals hugging to symbolize your love!

Summary

Our staff suggest starting to teach children when they're 1-3 years of age about eating the "rainbow."

Always pack a protein, dairy, meat, nuts and seeds (check your school’s policy on nuts). Also, include fresh cut up veggies, one or two fruit options, apple sauce, cut up apples, peaches, pears. Smaller children do better with cut up fruit. Let kids choose what goes into their lunch, and they will be more likely to eat it. Include more food items than you think they are going to need. Kids self-regulate. Packed with an ice pack, the items that return home can be after-school snacks.

If you are going to use pre-packaged foods, please check food labels carefully to monitor the sugar content in order to avoid hidden or added sugars and preservatives.

One last back to school tip is to send your kids off to school with a reminder of the importance of hand washing prior to eating their lunch and remind them again to do so when they return home. Frequent hand washing is the best defense against getting sick. Singing the alphabet while hand washing can make sure that they’re doing it long enough to count.

To your child's ultimate well-being!

Gingerbread House Daycare