5 Tips For Healthy School Lunch Ideas

Healthy school lunch ideas don’t need to be fancy or take a lot of time. These 5 tips will take the stress out of packing cold lunches.

In my days of Food Service Management, I saw plenty of healthy and creative lunches along with those not so healthy lunches.

I quickly learned a LOT of perfectly good food ends up in the garbage can in an elementary school cafeteria.

I think about this each morning as I pack school lunches. My goal, like yours I’m sure, is for the food to end up in my children’s belly, not the garbage can.

Foods in a child’s lunchbox should not only fill them up but should provide the right fuel for their body to learn and grow.

Let’s take a look at an example of what you might find walking into any elementary cafeteria across America.

A Typical Lunchbox Might Contain:

• Uncrustable
• Bag of Chips {Cheetos will be used for this example}
• Fruit Roll-Up
• Juice Box

Picture 10 3/4 teaspoons of sugar. Unfortunately, this is the visual representation of the amount of sugar in the lunch above. It packs a huge sugar punch – coming in at 43 grams of sugar.

The American Heart Association recommends children have 4 tsp of added sugar per day, teens 5-8 tsp of added sugar.  

I struggle with healthy school lunch ideas just as much as you do.

My secret to getting healthy foods into my children’s stomachs is by finding a happy medium.

Let me give you an example.

My daughter loves baked beans, however, her favorite brand contains 12 g of sugar per serving (3 tsp of sugar). She has baked beans in her lunch box frequently. These beans are high in fiber, high in protein, and I know she will eat them. They will not end up in the garbage which is where the leftover chicken from last night would have ended.

This same 3rd-grade daughter’s most requested item: Nutella. Can you guess the first ingredient? Yep. Sugar.

A great solution is to spread Nutella on a whole grain tortilla, place a banana on top, roll it up, and slice. Banana sushi!

Here are great ways to get kids eating the healthy foods packed – they are my favorite school lunch ideas.

5 Tips For Packing A Healthy Lunchbox:

1. Pack small quantities

Kids get overwhelmed with large quantities of food, and they certainly don’t want to see large quantities of foods they don’t like. Pack small amounts of foods kid don’t love yet. Start with 3 or 4 baby carrots rather than a bag full. It’s a better bet your child will take a bit of one or two carrots when they know they are not expected to eat a huge bag full.

To make carrots more exciting add a small container of dip. Kids love dunking and they love dips. Check out these recipes requiring just 2 ingredients. Dips help get children eating more of the healthy foods you packed, eaten. Children only get the nutritional benefits of fruits and veggies when they actually eat them.

Check out this garden tour video where my daughter and I discuss ways of getting more veggies eaten:

2. Fun food presentation

Kids love different shapes, bite-sized foods, and different presentations of the same foods. Cut a sandwich into 4 pieces rather than two. Utilize cookie cutters to make cool shapes. Try themed food – kids love a good theme.

When I was a Foodservice Director, at all holidays I presented a theme-based meal with fun main entrees and side dishes. The number of children who chose to take hot lunch these days soared.

Have fun with food, your kids will too. Click here for more ideas. 

 

3. Non-food treats

Rather than food treats, write your child a message on a napkin or include a special lunch box notecard!

My kids love lunch box note cards – and their friends at the lunch table enjoy them too! It’s a great alternative to sweet treats. 

This is what inspired me to develop Lunch Bites™ Lunch Box Note Cards.   I wanted my kiddos to know I was thinking of them and get them smiling, laughing, and learning at lunch. After seeing their excitement over the lunchbox notes, I wanted to share them with other families.

4. Get kids involved

Bring your child grocery shopping and allow them to pick out whatever fruits and vegetables they would like in their lunchbox.

I have been surprised on many occasions with what my kids pick that I wouldn’t have selected. They are always excited to pack the item in their lunch the next day.

5. Get Kids Cooking

Kids are more likely to eat foods that they help prepare and it is fun bonding time too. Find simple recipes your kids can easily make.

Check out our Pinterest Boards for lots of fun and easy recipes for kids to make on their own.

Even though it is tough at times, as parents, we make the choices for foods that are brought into our homes.

Start by stocking your pantry and fridge with lots of fresh, frozen, and canned fruit and vegetables. Keep whole-grain crackers and bread on hand. Load up on cheese, yogurt, and nuts. These are easy to keep on hand and easy to pack in a school lunch. Check out more pantry staples here.

Share with me in the comments below what you do to help keep both your kids and yourself happy about those school lunches!