Wellness Wednesday: Back to School Lunch Prep

Remember, your kid’s lunches don’t have to be picture perfect.

It’s that time of year again, the kids are heading back to school. For some parents, that sounds like a relief. For others, the to-do list for getting kids back into the school routine may seem daunting. So, let’s alleviate some of that stress by simplifying school lunch prep.

A healthy (and delicious) lunch is important to keep your student full and focused so they can thrive in the classroom! Back to school season and new routines can be a stressful adjustment for you and your family, so let me help you make back to school lunch prep as stress free as possible!

Tip One: Make a Plan

First things first, a plan for the week is a must. I recommend getting the kids involved in this step, and the rest of them. That way, you can be sure to prepare meals and snacks they will enjoy.

This step should only take more 5 to 10 minutes per week. It may be best suited for a Saturday or Sunday. Planning your meals for the week ensures you have everything you need in your pantry, fridge/freezer or add it to the grocery list. From there, you can spend less time roaming around the grocery store because you’ll already know exactly what you need!

If you struggle to come up with ideas on your own, search for easy lunch and snack ideas on the internet or social media! I like to keep a running list of meal and snack ideas on my phone so I can easily reference it whenever needed.

Tip Two: Prep Ahead

Prepping ahead is a great hack to save yourself time on school days. It is also another great step to get you kids involved. They can learn new kitchen skills while helping divide the work. Try to prep fruits and vegetables ahead of time, to pair with a dip on school day. Some of our favorites:

• Grapes
• Pineapple
• Watermelon
• This easy Greek yogurt dip

Portion your fruits and veggies out into containers or Ziplock bags. And don’t forget to wash your fruits and vegetables before you pack them up!

Tip Three: Batch It

If you want to take it a step further and save yourself more time during the week, you can batch meals. For example, prepare and refrigerate sandwiches for the week, make a batch of muffins (I love this high fiber recipe) or make some hard-boiled eggs for the kids to grab for breakfast. The options are endless:

• Make a couple extra pancakes or waffles at breakfast and freeze them
• Prepare your protein for dinners so it’s ready to throw on the stove or grill
• Make some baked egg muffin cups
• Throw together your favorite pasta and refrigerate
• Mix a chicken, egg, or tuna salad
• Try these easy pinwheel sandwiches!

Tip Four: Don’t Stress It

Remember, your kids’ lunches don’t have to be picture perfect. When all else fails, ask yourself if their packed lunch follows the plate method. Does it include a protein source? What about a grain or starchy food? Did you include fruits and/or vegetables?

Bonus: Get the kids involved again and have them help pack their own lunch. Check out these examples of combinations that include all 3!

1. Turkey pinwheel sandwiches, pretzels, veggies (carrots, bell pepper strips, cucumbers, etc.) with Greek yogurt dip
2. Chicken salad sandwich, baked potato chips, sliced strawberries with some whipped cream
3. Pasta salad, cheese stick, whole grain crackers, apple slices with peanut (or another type) butter
4. Ham and Swiss cheese sandwich, blueberry muffin, veggies (carrots, bell pepper strips, cucumbers, etc.) with hummus or ranch
5. Peanut (or another type) butter and jelly sandwich, cheese stick, whole grain crackers, diced pineapple

I don’t know about you, but these all sound delicious to me even as an adult! Utilize these tips and remember to plan ahead. A little prep is your best friend when it comes to reducing your school lunch prep stress throughout the week.