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Real Food

Create a No-Bummer Lunch for Back to School

It’s almost that time……….time for back-to-school.  You want to pack a lunch that is full of nutritious real food that will help keep your kids focused and energized to make it through a whole day of school.  You pack a lunch that you know is going to be a hit with your kids. So why does most of it come home unopened with your child complaining that they are “Starving.”  Why?? Why?? Why??  I have the help you need.

 


Tips for a creating school lunches

Tips For Making “No Bummer” Lunches For Your Kids

Look at the lunch from your child’s perspective.  They only have a short time to eat.  An ideal lunch is one that is as easy as possible to eat.  Fruit cups and string cheese can be hard to open.  Have you tried it?  What about yogurt tubes?  That stuff ends up all over the place when I open them.  Now imagine it in the hands of your little one.  Have you ever had to use scissors to open a package that you send in a lunch box?  I bet you don’t pack scissors to go with it.

I’ve been packing lunches for quite a few years now.  Here are some tips that I have taken away from all of my experience.  Most of the tips come directly from talking with the kids.

  1. Don’t forget the spoon.  Once your child is sitting down, they are not going to go look for a spoon.  Either they have one or they are not going to eat anything that needs a spoon.
  2. Easy to open.  Transfer foods in “tricky” packaging to simpler to open containers.
  3. Don’t forget the drink container. Make sure your child can open up their refillable water bottle.  If they can not, find a different one for them.
  4. Keep foods bite-sized.  I like to cut up fruit, vegetables, cheese cubes, and other foods into bite-sized pieces.  It makes them easier to eat and if it is easy, your child is more likely to eat it.
  5. Open or Clear lunchbox containers. We like to use containers where all of the food can be seen at one time.  It helps speed things along so that there is more time for eating.
  6. Do NOT try new foods in the lunch box.  The place to try new foods is at home.  The lunch box should be filled with foods that you know your child likes.  Start the school year off by sitting down with your child and making a list of the foods that they like to eat.  This will make shopping and planning your school lunches much simpler.  You can read more about food list-making here.

Leave me a comment with your favorite lunch-making tips.  Have you ever been frustrated with a lunch that wasn’t even touched? What did you do?

If you are looking for help in making the transition to eating more real food, you should check out the Real Food Experience posts. You can get started at the beginning or jump around the challenges. You can find a complete round-up of the program here. Each week’s challenge is full of terrific advice to help you transition from fast and processed food to a real food diet. Changes that will help you to live a healthy lifestyle and have the energy to keep up with your busy schedule. I would also love for you to join me on social media. You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram on a regular basis. Leave me a comment and let me know you are there. I love to visit with my readers.

 

For more lunch making tips and advice, check out my lunch box resources page.

lunchbox-series2

 


4 Comments

« Real Life: Declutter Challenge for Busy Folks
Easy Real Food Dinner Recipe: 15 Minute Pasta with Ham and Fresh Tomatoes »

Comments

  1. Janelle@The Peaceful Haven says

    August 7, 2015 at 9:37 am

    Lunches are and have always been my toughest meal! I tend to slack off on this meal so I really appreciate this post! I always find encouragement here…Thanks!
    Janelle@The Peaceful Haven recently posted…Parenting 101: DisciplineMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Marie says

    August 7, 2015 at 11:26 am

    I love the child’s perspective. As a public school teacher and principal I made it my everyday goal to listen and respect. Hopping here from lets’s get real and following on Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram. Of course, your blog too.
    Marie recently posted…Tasty TuesdayMy Profile

    Reply
  3. All that's Jas says

    August 7, 2015 at 1:15 pm

    Great post! Thanks for sharing it with Thursday Favorite Things!
    All that’s Jas recently posted…Bundle of Joy GiveawayMy Profile

    Reply
    • Christina says

      August 11, 2015 at 12:10 pm

      Thanks for hosting such a great party each week.

      Reply

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