Nutrition/Bag Lunches

Check out www.laptoplunches.com. They have tons of great ideas for kids' lunches and pictures too!

My kids ove it when I make jello jigglers with Superjuice (it's like grape juice on steroids) or Pomegranet (sp??) juice. I use a football helmet mold and then pack the unmolded jigglers in a little plastic container so they don't get squished. They also like their sandwiches cut in cool shapes. We also do a thermos with raviolis or leftover rice and veggies from dinner. It's also important for kids to have some fun in their lunch--100 calorie bags of snacks or a fruit roll up or some other fun treat. I'm a Brownie Leader and have noticed that the kids who get nothing fun in their lunches and always have the snacks of cucumbers and tomatoes are the kids that gorge when there's a "junky" snack around.

My kindergarteners eat gogurt (yogurt on the go) and california rolls a lot. and fruit leather's good. I'd say modify what your kids like to make it a little healthier rather than going totally healthy because if they don't like it they'll trade it anyway!

Usually whole grain bread or tortillas are good options and helpful variety. We often use lettuce to wrap tacos and lunchmeat. My favorite is red leaf lettuce since it is durable and pliable, and it actually has a nice flavor. Romaine and other lettuces are too crunchy and don't fold up as well.

If your kids will eat grilled chicken and salad at home, I don't see why they wouldn't at school. Shake the salad/chicken with honey, pepper and lemon juice (or vinegar, to taste), skip the dressing.

You can make a week's worth of brownies or cookie bars with flax, nuts and dried fruit. Make a homemade trail mix for some variety.

Occasionally cut up a fruit salad instead of sticking a boring apple in each day. Or cut up the fruit to make it easier to eat. My absolute favorite treat as a kid was peanut butter in celery sticks. Creamy works best... mmmmmmm, craving one now.

Order white milk and send a teaspoon of Ovaltine Chocolate Malt powder with their lunches. It's packed with nutrients, despite having a lot of carbs... no more than regular chocolate milk would, I'm sure. The regular Ovaltine has food dye and other preservatives, fyi.

That's all I can think of right now. Have a great school year!

I recommend these resources...

http://www.llli.org/NB/NBJanFeb00p17.html

http://www.mothering.com/rediscovering-homemade-lunch

http://www.mothering.com/recipes/secrets-school-lunch-box...

http://www.mothering.com/natural-parenting-toolbox-health...

http://www.mothering.com/giving-children-more

Best wishes,
J.

ooh I like Beverly's ideas!
plus, cut up veggies like carrot, cucumbers, broccoli (if they like it) and some sort of "dip" like if you make a spinach dip.

I make my girls lunches everyday too! They love fresh fruits like cut up strawberries, grapes, peaches, pineapples, watermelon and they love carrots. I also buy Gogurt and freeze it, by lunch it is go to go and they love that. I also pack goldfish, pretzels, they like cucumbers and cherry tomatoes too. Sugar free jello and pudding cups are a big hit. They also like cheese cubes or cheese sticks, granola bars, I get them milk at school, hope these suggestions are helpful!