Back-to-school is right around the corner, and I recommend packing a lunch and both a mid-morning and an afternoon snack for your child to have throughout the day.
Many parents hear this and think: “What in the world do I pack in my child’s lunch each day that is quick and easy, without packing the same thing every day?” I know this may seem daunting (and repetitive!) but don’t worry, I have lots of yummy and healthy ideas to add variety to your child’s week!
Here are some specific, simple, “real food” solutions that can get you out of your PB&J rut:
Add a raw fruit and a vegetable, like a cut melon and carrots
Chicken or shrimp salad
Cut-up vegetables with hummus or guacamole
Cut-up fresh fruit—rotate through seasons
Mixed berry puree
Hard-boiled eggs
Pinwheels made of either turkey and cheese or roast beef and cheese
Unsweetened applesauce
Nut and seed trail mix
Almond bread, Ezekiel bread (for gluten free) or 100% whole grain bread sandwiches made of peanut or almond butter with sliced strawberries or roast beef, turkey, or chicken with hummus or guacamole, cheese, and pickles
String cheese
Ideal snacks start with a fresh fruit and vegetable and could include:
Celery or an apple with peanut butter
Smoothies with fruit, chia seeds, protein powder, and unsweetened almond milk, plain yogurt, and/or coconut water
Nut and seed trail mix
Sliced fruit with plain yogurt—you can sweeten the yogurt with unsweetened applesauce and nuts
Cut-up vegetables, like carrots, celery, or other crispy veggies, with healthy dips like hummus or guacamole
Vegetable soups
Sliced apples with cinnamon
Omelet or frittata
Meat and cheese pinwheels
Ezekiel bread (for gluten free) or 100% whole grain bread with nut butter and a side of fruit
Mini meatballs and fresh melon served with toothpicks
Tomatoes and basil with mozzarella cheese on skewers—you can add balsamic vinaigrette