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What’s For Lunch? Back To School Meal Ideas and Tips

You’ve probably heard, “What’s for breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner?” all summer long – and things aren’t about to change now. However, school lunches are a whole other ball game, aren’t they! They require strategy, creative thinking, and knowing what food your kid is into that week. When it comes to school lunches, I try to keep things as simple as possible,while considering my children’s likes and dislikes as well as my goal of encouraging a healthy diet. I want them to eat a range of foods that will keep them energized and alert throughout the whole day. With that in mind, I aim to include at least one protein, fruit, and vegetable in their daily lunches. I also allow room for one treat.

When my son first started kindergarten, I skipped packaged goods and sweet snacks, because I didn’t want him to only eat that over his other healthy food. However, his friends were getting cookies and fruit snacks in their lunches and it made him feel like he was seriously deprived! So, now I look for not too overly sugary treats to include one in his lunch. His teacher last year called these “afternoon snacks”, which meant the kids ate their healthy snacks in the morning, for healthy fuel, and their sweet ones in the afternoon when the day was coming to an end. I thought that was pretty smart! 

So what are some things I like to pack in my children’s school lunch? Well, it mostly depends on them, but here are some of the ideas I keep handy: 

School Lunch Ideas + Printable List 

Main Meals

  • SANDWHICH
  • WRAP
  • RICE CRACKER SAMMIES
  • HOMEMADE PIZZA
  • COLD PASTA SALAD 
  • ROLLED COLD CUTS W/ CHEESE
  • VEGGIE TACO
  • HOT MEALS: PASTA, BEANS, SOUP, NUGGETS

Sandwich & Wrap Fillers

WOWBUTTER, CHICKEN SALAD, DELI MEAT, VEGGIE & CREAM CHEESE, CHEESE & APPLE, CHIA SEED JAM, EGG SALAD, BANANA & SUNBUTTER, FRUIT & CREAM CHEESE, HUMMUS + TOMATO + LETTUCE, TUNA, SALMON, MELTED CHEESE & PEPPERONI, PÂTÉ, SPROUTS & VEGAN MAYONNAISE

Fruits & Vegetables

  • GRAPES 
  • BERRIES
  • APPLE  
  • PLUMS
  • BANANA
  • PEARS
  • PEACH
  • ORANGE
  • CHERRY TOMATOES
  • CELERY 
  • CARROTS
  • CUCUMBER
  • SNOW PEAS
  • GREEN BEANS

Snacks

  • SNACK BITES/ENERGY BALLS
  • FRUIT SNACKS (APPLE SAUCE)
  • HUMMUS & CHIPS/VEGGIES
  • DRIED FRUIT
  • CHEESE CUBES
  • YOGOURT
  • COOKIES
  • CRACKERS
  • SEEDS
  • HARD BOILED EGGS

I keep an ongoing list of which fruits and vegetables my kids are into and make sure to include those. Sometimes I add a few of the ones they don’t like so much just to see if anything’s changed and you know what, some days I’m pleasantly surprised! In terms of a main meal, sandwiches, wraps, pizza, chopped cold chicken, and rice cracker sammies are my go-to. I like to include variety in small portions which gives them choices. The important thing is getting them to eat what’s in their lunch box so they don’t crash at school!

One of my tips is to talk about lunch the night before, even have your child help you pack it so they can see what’s coming their way the next day. If they protest on an item, you can discuss it and maybe find a suitable replacement.

Allergy-friendly food is also a must, considering classmates who have allergies. WOWBUTTER (made from soy) is a great swap for peanut butter and offers a good dose of protein. Both my kiddos find it tastes just like the real thing. Just make sure to label food items clearly so teachers know it’s not peanut butter.

There are so many ways to get creative with school lunches, without having to bake from scratch, decorate, and cookie-cut food, unless you like doing that – then all the power to you!

In the end, the best way to make school lunches a success is to start by talking with your kids, taking them grocery shopping to help pick out their lunches for the week and discuss healthy eating habits together. 

Now it’s your turn! Do you have some great back-to-school lunch ideas to share with me? Leave a comment and help a parent out!

 

P.S Check Out The Best of this Life’s Back-To-School Guide: 

 

Emily Smith

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9 Comments

  1. These are graet ideas. When I was teaching I would get so bored with lunches same as a student. Time to think outside the box!

  2. These are great back to school lunch ideas, I needed some inspiration and ideas. Glad you shared these, totally going to bookmark so that I can make them for the kiddos!

  3. This is such a great list to keep lunches fresh and appetizing! This will help in my middle of the school year rut, thanks!

  4. Great ideas! I am actually looking for making back to school lunches. I always found it so relaxing and being able to get creative and have fun was the best!

  5. I love these. I need some creative lunch ideas for myself lately. I get so board with the same thing all the time. I love the idea of the list…really helpful when trying to plan things out.

  6. I have not been the best about offering healthy food choices this summer. With us choosing to homeschool this year, I will need to be more intentional in this area. These will be perfect choices for my preschooler.

  7. i LOVE SO many of your suggestions. When I was little my mom would let me buy lunch once a month. I would get the lunch schedule and plan so carefully which lunch i wanted. I n the end, her lunches were better…much better.

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