Favorite Packed Lunch Ideas for Kids

Are you wondering what you are going to pack in your child's lunch this school year? A well balanced lunch is the key to keeping your child healthy and attentive during the long hours of school. However, what parents think is a good lunch might not be as fun for kids. If it's a challenge getting your kids to eat at home, it will probably be a challenge getting them to eat their lunch at school. Although you won't be there to see if they are eating or not, here are some ideas to help you out and to make lunches a little more exciting for your child.

My first tip is to include your child in the lunch-making process. Let them choose the foods they would like to have in their lunch, within reason. Include them in decision making at the grocery store, by letting them pick out 2-3 foods for lunch. If they pick out something full of sugar, like pudding, balance it out by having them choose something healthy, like yogurt or cheese and crackers. Also, disguise healthy foods as being the unhealthy foods your child likes. Opt for fat free or sugar free pudding or baked chips instead of the fatty and salty ones. If you put these healthier foods into your own containers, it's unlikely that your kids will know the difference.

Sandwiches and Main Meal Options

Peanut butter and jelly is the most popular sandwich for lunches, but it is possible to change it up a little bit. For a healthy option, use whole wheat bread instead of white, reduced fat peanut butter and sugar free jelly. Instead of jelly, you could try using sliced bananas, raisins, thinly sliced apple or even marshmallow crème with the peanut butter. For a fun change, cut the sandwich into a shape that your child likes, by using a cookie cutter. Instead of buying the Uncrustables in the frozen section, make your own. Not only is it cheaper, but you know what's going into your sandwich.