Now that school is in full swing, your kids are probably getting tired of the same ol' PB & J. I remember during my days as a teacher, I would hear my students complain about their lunches or even throw them away altogether!If your kids are getting the lunchbox blues, give these new ideas a try:
- Peanut butter and banana sandwich
- Hummus and veggie sticks
- Pita triangles with hummus dip
- Vegetable and Fruit kabobs (on toothpicks)
- Avocado and cheese sandwich
- Vegetable-stuffed pita
- Zucchini cakes with baked cinnamon apples
- Pinwheels - Tortilla-wrapped sandwich rolled and slice
- Pasta Salad
- Egg, Tuna, or Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Put a sandwich on a toasted roll
- Try Almond or Cashew butter instead of peanut butter
- Cottage Cheese or Yogurt mixed with fruit and walnuts
- Apple slices with peanut, almond or cashew butter
- Bean Salad
- Broccoli Salad
- Cheese cubes with Cherry tomatoes
* Enlist your kids in helping you make their lunch the night before school. They will be more excited (and more likely) to eat it knowing they had ownership in it - plus, it instills a sense of responsibility and is a great opportunity to foster healthy eating habits.
* Have a picky eater? Remember that it can take up to 12 "tries" before a child actually tastes the new food in front of him. Keep trying and insist that he must at least try it. While it may be easier to give in, it's important that you remain consistent with offering the new foods. Give lots of praise for your child's efforts!
* Presentation is everything - Kids will likely be turned off by a big scoop of mush on their plates. However, presenting their food in a less than traditional manner (kabobs, new shapes, new containers, etc.) it piques your child's interest and makes the meal more fun. While storing all the food items in plastic baggies may be quick, it's not very environ-friendly and can end up costing a lot. Try using reusable containers instead, like the Laptop Lunch system. As well as being easy and convenient, this system allows your child to be exposed to a variety of healthy foods.
* Don't forget the love - Kids of all shapes, sizes and ages love being surprised and LOVE hearing how much their parents adore them. Slipping a fun note into your child's lunchbox is the perfect way to let him or her know you are thinking about them, even if you're not there (maybe your child is having a difficult day and your note lifted his spirits).
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