Packing lunch for our kids can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Are they eating enough? Are they getting enough nutrients? What should I buy? If you’re asking yourself these questions, we completely understand, and we’re here to help.
When it comes to packing lunches for school, we suggest following four simple steps.
Step 1: Pick a Protein, any protein! I love using rolled turkey slices, chicken tenders, yogurt with toppings, etc. Protein is vital in all children’s muscle and overall development. Eating sufficient protein with every meal has also shown to improve cognitive function, making it even more important for a school day!
Step 2: Find a Fat. Fats are crucial for the development of the brain in the early stages of life especially. It can seem difficult nowadays to find a “healthy” fat, but there are delicious foods full of healthy fats. Such as, walnuts, olive oil, avocado, peanut butter and eggs! All of these can be served in small portions to ensure your child is getting lots of Omega-3’s.
Step 3: Keep up with Carbs. Carbs are the body’s primary source for fuel, your kid’s included. We recommend picking low glycemic index carbs, keeping their blood sugar levels from spiking and ultimately crashing early in the day. Most vegetables and fruits fit this index and are packed with nutrients. Bonus points if you cut them into a fun shape, or serve them with some dipping sauce. Hummus is one of our go-tos and so yummy.
Step 4: Don’t skip snacks. We’ve never met anybody who doesn’t like snacks. An easy way to find healthy snacks is to follow similar guidelines as above but make it fun. Dark chocolate covered nuts, Greek yogurt and fruit cups, homemade granola, and berries are all tasty and kid approved. Fun snacks can give your kids something to look forward to during the day.
I hope these steps help make some of your upcoming lunches easier to pack. You got this!