Lunches -N- Snacks To Go

Everybody I know struggles with packing lunches as a part of their daily routine. We all have to eat lunch every day, but that doesn’t mean we want to spend most of our weekpreparing and planning it. Usually what happens is we find ourselves packing the same things over and over. That can get boring, quick. So there are a few ways that I have found will really help make it not seem like such a chore.

 

I think the most important thing you can do to make preparing work and school day lunches a thousand times easier is having the correct containers to put everything in.  If you don’t know what items you should have I have included a picture at the bottom that should help. You can find everything you need on amazon and it’s usually very reasonably priced. I promise spending a little bit of money on these things in the beginning will pay off in the long run. (If you have trouble getting your kids to bring the containers back create a reward system-an example would be every day they bring the container home they get .05 cents-kids will do a lot for money) The containers you should look into is an insulated lunch box, small containers for dips, divided plastic containers, plastic silverware, thermos, cold packs, silicone muffin cups, and cookie cutters. The silicone muffin cups are the most diverse lunch packing utensil I have ever had. Use them as muffin holders or use them to hold ingredients in your lunch pail! I included cookie cutters because you can make all sorts of things fun with just one simple cut. Make cheese shapes or cucumber shapes, you can even use them to shape your pita crisps. Whatever containers you decide to get just make sure you can see a good use for them and that it is convenient to take on the go!

 

The next biggest thing that will help and reduce the stress of your morning is packing lunches ahead of time. This could mean up to 5 days ahead of time or the night before, depending on what you’re making. Pick a day and time and try to keep it the same every week. During that time workon preparing everything you need for the week. Separate it out, cut it up, and put it in proper containers. Some things you can freeze and take out the night before. The only way your going to be able to do this and succeed at it though is to use 30 minutes earlier in the week to decide and write down what lunches will be. This will allow you to look and see what ingredients you need as well as plan the proper amount of time you need to prepare. And if your really feeling spunky, get your kids in the kitchen with you and have them help prepare and pack. This way they feel like they had an decision on what they are eating and are more likely to enjoy it and eat it all at school.

 

A lot of people say to keep lunches simple. Forget that. That is why they are so boring. Make lunch fun and creative, just use simple foods! Remember when it comes to lunch it is important that you get a variety.

 

Snack/Lunch Ideas

*Apple Cookies (peanut butter, pecans, coconut shreds, chocolate chips)

*Peanut Butter and Banana Wrap on a Tortilla

*Fruit Salad

*Veggies and Dip/Hummus

*Cucumber Sandwiches (cucumber slices, meat, cheese)

*Italian Salad (pasta, cheese chunks, broccoli, cucumbers, peppers, onions)

*Sandwich Wraps (veggies, meat, cheese, tortilla)

*Pita Crisps with hummus/cheese spread

*Quesadilla (cheese and bacon)

*Make your own lunchable (crackers, fruit, cheese, tuna, pita pieces, pizza sauce)

*Pretzels/Oyster Crackers with Dry Ranch Mix & Oil

*Popcorn (flavored with herbs and spices)

*Taco Bar (chips, meat, lettuce, cheese, veggies, salsa)

*Tuna Noodle Casserole (tuna, Annie’s mac and cheese, peas, cream of mush soup)

*Potato Salad

*BLT Lettuce Wraps

*Smoothies (Use the thermos to keep cold)

*Oatmeal with Dried Fruit (Use thermos to keep hot)

*Burritos

*Muffins

*Trail Mix (nuts, pretzels, yogurt bites)

*Cheese Chunks

*Pickles

*Meatballs with Sauce

*Homemade Granola (nut variety, oats, honey, sweetner, baking chips, goji berries, flaxseed, toasted coconut, etc)

*Egg Salad

 

There are several other lunch possibilities. It just really depends on how much planning you want to put into it. Make sure that you have the containers clean and ready to go. Pack them ahead of time and if you need to label what day of the week it is for. If there are multiple people in your family you can either label them with a name or color code it.  Don’t stress yourself out with it. Just start small one week and keep building. You can do it. You just have to go for it!

Have a Healthy and Happy Day,

Lori

Integrative Nutrition Health Coach