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