25 Great Ideas for Packing School Lunches
It’s getting to be that time of year again–the time that kids dread and parents tend to love. It’s time to head back to school!
You’ve bought new school clothes, notebooks, pencils, even a new backpack (check www.backpacksafe.com for tips on preventing long-term injury to the spine from backpacks). But have you thought about what your children will be eating for lunch?
I wrote an article on school lunches recently. The statistics are really shocking.
Did you know that most schools use nutritional guidelines that haven’t been updated since the 1970s? And that ketchup and salsa count as vegetable requirements in schools?
Some other information:
- 75% of the drinks in school vending machines are made with artificial juice, high fructose corn syrup and sugar.
- 75% of high schools and 65% of middle schools have exclusive soft drink contracts.
- As of 2007, less than 20% of our nation’s schools met dietary guidelines.
- Most granola bars have 15 grams of added sugar.
- “Natural” Capri Sun Pacific Coolers have 100 calories and 26 grams of sugar.
This is why I highly recommend kids pack their lunch and bring it to school. Most of the food served in school cafeterias is fake food–it’s not real food!
Here are 25 great ideas for packing a healthy school lunch:
1. Turkey burger on Ezekiel bread with lettuce, tomato & mustard
2. Organic, nitrate-free lunch meat on Ezekiel bread
3. Almond butter and banana sandwich on brown rice bread
4. Chicken salad on a bed of greens
5. Egg salad wrapped in a sprouted grain tortilla
6. Ants on a log (celery with almond or cashew butter and raisins)
8. Larabar or other fruit and nut bar
9. Hummus with carrot sticks, broccoli and cauliflower
10. Apples, bananas, oranges, peaches, grapes
11. Guacamole with bell pepper slices
12. Leftover quinoa from last night’s dinner
13. Beans & brown rice with seasonings
14. Buffalo chili in a thermos
15. Spinach salad with nuts, cranberries and pear slices
16. Fresh berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, etc.)
17. Homemade lemonade (lemon juice, water & stevia)
18. Hardboiled eggs or Deviled eggs
19. Goat’s milk yogurt
20. Gluten-free crackers like Mary’s Gone Crackers & goat’s cheese
21. Raw zucchini noodles with Marinara or Alfredo sauce
22. Organic or homemade applesauce
23. Walnut tacos in lettuce wraps
25. A slice of raw cheesecake for dessert
Sometimes it can be hard for kids (and adults!) to get all the nutrients they need. That’s why I drink a Berry Greens powder almost every morning. It’s full of important antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Plus, my Axe Naturals formula has probiotics to restore a healthy balance of bacteria in your system, aloe vera to help reduce inflammation, and cinnamon to help regulate blood sugar levels.
What are your ideas and tips for packing a lunch for your kids? Check out our in office recipe binder for all the best healthy recipes!!
