For weeks now, all I have been hearing is, "I bet you can't wait for school to start." Believe me, I can wait. As the mother of four boys (two in high school, one in middle school and one in elementary school) I know all too well what I'm in for. My kids tend to lose things like home work, jackets, lunches, money - but I digress. This blog isn't about the unsung joys of motherhood. It's about what to pack in your kids lunch bag.
Having a plan is key. Don't be too ambitious. Strike a balance between what your child is willing to eat and what you think is nutritionally optimal. Let your child go to the supermarket with you, but you don't have to buy everything they throw in the cart. Since I generally pack 16 lunches a week (one day they get to buy lunch at school) I consider myself somewhat of an expert. Here are some tips:
- Use whole-wheat or whole-grain bread.
- Buy real meat such as turkey, chicken or even ham instead of processed like bologna or salami.
- Portion size matters - especially with snacks.
- Drinks should not be loaded with sugar. Consider water, seltzer or milk.
- Consult your child and get an updated list of what he/she is willing to eat.
- Try to go for variety as much as possible.
My kids complain that they only get to buy lunch one day a week, but I think deep down they know I make them lunch because I care.
