BACK TO SCHOOL FOOD AND LUNCHES

Written by Bridget C. Williams

 

Making  Lunches

Make lunch with your kids and let them pick out vegetables they like.  Then you know they will eat them.   This will save you money. Create homemade lunches put in your child’s food in a container that has sections.  It’s not hard to do this get your kids involved.   Have fun with it.  Cut up cheese, put in crackers, fruit, turkey, ham, nuts, and dried fruits.   Brown bag or lunch bags are great ways to save money.

School-Week Meals

In the hustle and bustle of packing lunches and pulling together weeknight dinners, it can be easy to throw a lot of cash down the drain. Here’s proof you don’t have to spend a ton on meals during the week.

 

Reusable lunches

Don’t waste money on plastic utensils and paper napkins that get thrown out after only one. If you have picnic utensils use those.   You Children will bring them back home.  It also teaches responsibility.  If you have reusable containers that are best because they have to bring those home also.  I remember my Auntie washing out plastic freezer bags and lunch bags also to be reuse. This is a great way to save money.  I still do this today, saves me money.

 

Buying  larger sizes

 

If you buy larger sizes you can individualize crackers, cereal, some schools do this as treats for the kids.   It saves time and money.   Great when you are traveling with the kids.  Based on the size of your family. This helps to create portion sizes and control.  If you have a big family or children that like to eat a lot.

 

You can also add a little note

Just tell how great they are and how proud you are of them.   Remember each child is different and so create the card based on the child’s personality.  You don’t have to do this every day.  This inspires and builds confidence in your child.  Think of positive things that they are doing and continue to do.

 

Plan ahead

I create my meals for the week. Sometimes 2 or 3 dishes based on what’s happening.   I found out what the child want so that I don’t waste money.  It takes just a couple of minutes and doesn’t waste time on unnecessary foods.   Generally, I plan in advance what I will cook based on what’s in the cupboards, refrigerator, and freezer.  My son can take lunch to school or eat after school.  I also take lunch to work with me.  Again, this saves lots of money.

 

SOME GOOD FOOD TO TAKE ON THE ROAD OR SCHOOL SNACK SIZE

Create your own snack sizes because it’s cheaper than purchasing them.   Your children don’t eat everything when you buy them.  The next time you purchase one just watches what is wasted.   Have your child create the lunch with you. This way they will eat what they generally pick.

 

Some suggestions

 

Make some wraps and cut them so they become mini sandwiches.  Use cheese, most kids can have cheese unless they are lactose intolerant.   You can substitute it with something else.  These are just a few suggested you can add your own.  Some people will get creative and do cut outs for the kids.  If this is what it take to get them to eat healthy go for it.

 

Deli turkey + cheddar slices in roll-ups, pretzels, apple wedges

Deli ham + grilled corn guacamole + cheese rolled up in a tortilla and sliced into pinwheels, strawberries, carrots

Graham crackers + cookie butter sandwiches, strawberries, yogurt

Pasta tossed with olive oil or salad dressing + pea pods + rotisserie chicken + grapes

Jelly sandwich cut-out, cheese stick, banana

Bacon + tomato + shredded lettuce + cream cheese rolled into a tortilla pinwheel, berries

Asian marinated chicken bits leftover from dinner + pea pods + pasta noodles + grapes served as nibble platter

Noodles tossed with pesto, parmesan cheese chunks, tomatoes

Biscuit, split in half + pulled pork leftover from dinner + shredded cheddar cheese for a mini sandwich, watermelon chunks

English muffin + marinara sauce + shredded mozzarella for homemade pizza bites, grapes

Banana zucchini bread + yogurt + raisins

THINLY sliced cucumbers + cream cheese + white bread + sprinkle of dill for cocktail sandwiches, grapes

Grow a vegetable garden or just potted vegetables with your children.  The children  tend to eat what they grow, and water.

 

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