Eating healthy has become a passion for our family. We have a very demanding schedule, like many, but we make time for what we love most. It has been a process for us to find what works best with our schedule, but eating healthy is important. With a little bit of preparation you too can have a great list of healthy lunch ideas.
To make things fun we like to use some of our favorites. We have a collection of festive napkins, reusable silicone muffin liners, cookie cutters, miniature utensils, and fun toothpicks galore! We are always keeping an eye out for new items to add to our collection. The clearance section for seasonal and party items is a great location to check out to build your very own stash. Want to take it an extra step further? Try adding free printable riddles and jokes (Pinterest has tons!). The kids love to share them with their friends at lunch!
Tips and suggestions to building a healthier lunch:
1. PROTEIN
French toast is a great way to hide those eggs and pack them full of protein.
Yogurt provides a great source of protein.
Leftovers from dinner fit perfectly in a thermos, and this gives us more ways to incorporate those meats.
Sprouted bagels or English muffins are for that homemade “pizza lunchable”. Add chicken too!
2. FRUIT and/or VEGGIE
Modify your ordinary chocolate chip muffins by adding zucchini. If you’ve never tried one before, you must! They are delicious!
Flavor your child’s water cup with fresh fruit. Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries are the best! Mash & mix!
3. DRINK
Always include WATER. (Try flavoring with fresh fruit, it is so refreshing)
Studies show that drinking more water can improve students’ readiness to learn by increasing their level of cognitive functioning.
Optional: SNACK
Grains, vegetables, fruits, and seeds. Dried fruit and raw nuts make for a great homemade trail mix.
Granola – another great addition to your trail mix.
Grains, nuts, and seeds provide an excellent source of omegas, fiber, and calcium.
Organic french toast strips with Siggi’s yogurt, organic blackberries and grapes.
And homemade marshmallows with chocolate chips – a special treat!
Joke of the day: Where do pencils go for vacation? A: Pennsylvania
Two slices of homemade sweet potato bread with a yogurt parfait. Add fresh cut organic strawberries
(or fruit of choice) and the granola is separated with a tray insert to keep it fresh and crunchy.
Build your own “Pizza Lunchable” with two sprouted English muffins.
Add shredded cheese and pizza sauce. And use fun cookie cutters for the pepperoni.
