Easy grab-and-go school lunch options
SCHOOL mornings are hectic, but there are some things you can do to help pack lunches a little faster (without resorting to processed foods). 1. Keep a stash of sandwiches in the freezer Food companies figured out that some parents want the convenience of ready-made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The problem is, they not …
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SCHOOL mornings are hectic, but there are some things you can do to help pack lunches a little faster (without resorting to processed foods).
1. Keep a stash of sandwiches in the freezer
Food companies figured out that some parents want the convenience of ready-made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The problem is, they not only cost a lot more per sandwich, but you also don’t get to control the type of bread and ingredients used.
2. Have pre-made fresh fruit cups in the fridge
Left to their own devices, kids will often leave a whole apple or piece of fruit uneaten inside the lunch bag. Use the left-over fruits to prepare fruit cups.
3. Make veggie cups ahead of time
Kids love to dip their veggies, and parents love it when they eat them without a fuss. One way to make veggies super convenient is to prep veggies inside a cup with their favourite dip or dressing. You can buy pre-chopped veggies to save even more time!
4. Turn plain yogurts into a healthy dessert-like treat
Yogurts can be a convenient and nutritious lunchbox item, but many yogurts have a lot of added sugars and artificial sweeteners to give them more flavour and kid appeal. You can give plain yogurt a dessert-like taste by adding a little maple syrup, peanut butter and a few drops of stevia, or just top it with a few mini chocolate chips. Place the yogurt into a thermos so you can pack it at a moment’s notice.
The key to making lunch-packing simple is to assemble some healthy grab-and-go options. When nutritious, homemade foods are just as convenient as packaged items, lunches can be fresh, healthy, and bursting with kid appeal.
Information courtesy of Laura Fuentes. For more details visit www.parents.com