Welcome back to school – the time of year where kids’ tummies are filled with butterflies in anticipation of their new class, teacher, and routine. But what about filling their tummies at lunch? What do you pack in your kid’s lunch? Here are a few things to consider when packing your kid’s lunch.
Think about balance and dividing your child’s lunch into four food groups:
Milk and alternatives – milk, yogurt, Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese, cheese strings
Vegetables and fruit – carrots, apples, cucumber, grapes and berries
Grain products – bread, crackers and wraps
Meat and alternatives – tofu, eggs, beans and chicken
For variety, here are a couple of things your kids will love:
• Sliced peaches, pineapple and mango for fruit salad or kebabs
• Mixed berry fruit bowls
• Quick-to-cook vegetables like peas
• Whole grain breads for quick sandwiches and wraps.
Organize a snack drawer for easy snacks, pre-fill containers with trail mix made with soy nuts (avoid tree nuts). You can also have a snack drawer in the fridge, filled with ready-to-go Greek yogurt, cheese strings or hummus cups.