For years we have listened to a mockery of school lunches. They are thought to be more than processed and sometimes they didn’t look like real food. I took a quick poll of friends, family and clients on Facebook, regarding the school lunches and what I have learned is more of what we all knew, kids do not like what they are eating; and many children do not eat the super-food portion in their meals–fruits and veggies, lean meats and whole grains.
Most of the veggies are thrown out and the fruit is made with heavy syrup. Listen, I understand that making food for hundreds of children is tough work, but it sounds like the food served is “fast food.” One thing I learned from my poll is that as parents we have to be the educators, mentors and advocates in our children’s health and well-being. More importantly, we are the role models serving as the example of what we want our kids to be like. We need to be our children’s advocate and push for better food, because they are growing children and using the most important organ while at school, their brain.
Even if you’re packing lunch this year, your kids could be on the cafeteria line next year, here are some school lunch ideas made with LOVE from home:
#1 Tuna salad made with mustard or avocado instead of mayo, applesauce, carrot sticks, cucumbers, plum tomatoes, strawberries.
#2 Turkey BLT roll-ups, strawberries, carrot sticks, hummus, applesauce.
#3 Guacamole, organic whole grain crackers, hard boiled eggs, carrots, strawberries, piece of dark chocolate.
#4 Mangoes, cucumber slices, carrot sticks, tomatoes and hummus.
#5 Scrambled eggs with spinach, watermelon and coconut chips.
Some Other Simple Ideas Are:
Cheese sandwich–get the real seal of dairy on the cheese.
Homemade protein muffins, Gluten-Free Egg Muffin
Protein banana bread, visit here for recipe: FitPro Banana Oatmeal Bread
Mini pancakes with berries on top, with 1 egg
Greek yogurt + berries + granola or nut/seeds
Leftovers—some great leftovers are cold turkey tacos. This is a great recipe for leftovers: Stove Top Mexican Bake
Carrot/celery sticks with peanut/nut butter with hard boiled eggs
Peanut/sunbutter and jelly roll ups with bread, cut them into chunks like sushi.
Here is a picture I made with my daughter:
Chili or soups with organic whole grain crackers, try this recipe: Terrific Turkey Chili
Banana + nut/seed butter + Greek yogurt
Organic rice and black beans + salsa
Sweet potato and chicken + raw or steamed broccoli
Pasta dish, visit here for the recipe: Kid Friendly Pizza Casserole
Need Breakfast Ideas:
1-2 homemade pancakes + 1 scramble egg. Visit here for recipe: Banana-Nana Pancakes
Banana Blueberry Muffins, visit here for recipe: Banana Blueberry Muffins
Banana 6 Simple cookies, visit here for recipe: Banana 6 Simple Cookie
Chocolate Chip Protein Cookie, visit here for recipe: Chocolate Chip Protein Cookie
Pumpkin Power Bread, visit here for recipe: Pumpkin Power Bread
Do you already feel rushed in the mornings? One thing that helps me and my clients is making them the night before while making dinner–you’re already in the kitchen so why not take another 5 minutes to make a meal! Right?!
Ideas on how to pack the lunches, either in a thermos for warm and cold foods or I really love these little divided glade or Tupperware containers. They come in a 2-pack at the grocery store for under $4, you can add in a cooler pack to ensure the meal stay cool till lunch time.
With lunch time being only 15-20 minutes, packing a lunch may be an idea that can give your kids more time to eat rather than spend it in line waiting for food, bonus you what your kid is eating!
There are many more ideas, so if you have suggestions on meals or prep please post below! I would like feedback to help others in the process.