Healthy Back To School Lunches

Many schools have horrible choices in their cafeterias during lunch hour. I can tell you that when I was in school, we had choices like pizza and French fries, chili con carne, and Hot Dogs with French Fries. 

The choices of unhealthy food were abundant, but we never had a salad bar or any additional options to choose from. Now that we’re entering a new school year, we are determined to adopt healthier lunch ideas, even if it means it will be a slow and gradual process.

Fruit & Veggie Options

For example, if your child is accustomed to having hot dogs, pizza, and burgers, instead of adding fries, try them out with a side salad. You can put this into a container, but keep your dressing in a separate container. If you put dressing on the salad and let it sit, it will end up making the salad very soggy. If they don’t like salad, you can try adding a pack of fresh carrot sticks or a piece of their favorite fruit, such as an apple, an orange, a pear, or any other preferred fruit. It’s a good start.

Homemade Chili

When your kids have a food they really like, but they make mention that they are not willing to give it up, you might want to look up a healthier spin on that same recipe. You can make your own chili from fresh ingredients, and try organic products. Your chili may not be all that different, but the product is fresher because it’s not made from processed foods. 

You can also try vegetarian chili or chili made with ground turkey. Don’t tell them, they may not notice it’s not ground beef. In fact, most of my family cannot tell the difference, and they would say, “Wow, this ground beef tastes great. Where did you find it?” I never did tell them the truth!

Cheese

When your kids love cheese, no problem. Try them out on lower-fat cheese or skim milk instead of 2%. String cheese is a great snack item to include in their lunches, but 2% has a high fat content. Again, if you don’t tell them, they may not notice. Cabot produces high-quality cheese products, offering a low-fat content with great taste at a fair price.

Alternatives to Soda

Soda is probably one of the worst options you could give your child. Soda is high in sugar and contains a high number of calories. You can try a few things with this. You can encourage them to drink more water or switch to unsweetened tea while using Stevia as a sweetener. Stevia is not a type of sugar, but it was discovered that it can be used as a sweetener. 

Stevia has zero fat, zero calories, and is a fiber-rich sweetener. That way, if they don’t like whole-grain breads, they will still get a little fiber! Stevia is a versatile sweetener, and you don’t need to use a lot. With Stevia, a little goes a long way. I use Stevia anytime I have iced tea. It’s great and doesn’t have that “artificial” taste to it.

Peanut Butter & Jelly

All in all, there are many ways to switch up the lunch routine and still make it taste great. You can still do the all-time favorite peanut butter and jelly, but opt for all-natural peanut butter and jelly that is made from real fruit. Try to avoid preservatives and artificial, processed items. 

Natural peanut butter is no longer available at most local grocery stores. Because peanut butter is used so much, it was one of the few items that some of these stores carry in their small natural food section. Make sure to stir it, as the natural, unprocessed peanut butter contains natural oils that rise to the top of the jar. Just stir it well with a spoon, then enjoy!

Conclusion

Eating healthy is just the beginning of setting your child up with the tools to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Start by making changes in their lunch boxes by implementing some of these ideas. What changes do YOU plan to make when it comes to your child’s lunches?

Frequently Asked Questions About Healthy Back To School Lunches

Q: Why should I pack a healthy lunch for my child?
A: A healthy lunch provides essential nutrients that support your child’s growth, concentration, and energy throughout the school day.

Q: What are some easy and healthy fruit and vegetable options for school lunches?
A: Fresh carrot sticks, apple slices, orange segments, pears, and small side salads with dressing packed separately are great choices.

Q: How can I make traditional favorites like chili healthier?
A: Use fresh ingredients, opt for organic products, or substitute ground beef with ground turkey or vegetarian alternatives to reduce fat and increase nutrition.

Q: What cheese options are better for kids’ lunches?
A: Low-fat cheese or string cheese made from skim milk are healthier alternatives to regular 2% cheese.

Q: What are good alternatives to soda for school lunches?
A: Water, unsweetened tea sweetened with Stevia, or other low-calorie drinks are better options than sugary sodas.

Q: How can I make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches healthier?
A: Choose all-natural peanut butter and jelly made from real fruit without preservatives or artificial ingredients.

Q: How do I keep salads from getting soggy in lunchboxes?
A: Pack salad dressing separately and add it just before eating to keep the salad fresh.

Q: How can I encourage my child to eat healthier lunches?
A: Introduce healthier options gradually, involve your child in meal prep, and offer a variety of tasty, colorful foods.

Q: Are homemade lunches healthier than cafeteria meals?
A: Homemade lunches allow you to control ingredients and avoid processed foods, often making them a healthier choice.

Q: What are some tips for packing balanced lunches?
A: Include a mix of protein, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats to provide sustained energy and nutrition.

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