You know a lot of children really don’t like the lunches served at school, and end up either not eating lunch or buying ala carte items that are not only unhealthy but rather expensive. Getting proper nutrition is important for kids at all stages, so having some chips and ice cream for lunch is just not good for your kids.

A good alternative to get your children to eat a nutritious lunch, and to save money at the same time, is to pack their lunches. While it may take you a little more time, it can be well worth it. We suggest packing lunches the night before, rather than waiting for the morning rush.

Here are some tips and suggestions for school lunches that will have your kids anticipating lunch:

1. Reusable water bottles - freeze water or juice overnight. It will keep the lunch cold until lunchtime, and will be defrosted in time for lunch. You can add some water to orange juice or other juices, if you kids prefer juice over water.
2. Yogurt can also be frozen and used to keep other items cool until lunch. By lunchtime it will be just right to enjoy. Fruit flavored yogurt makes a nice dessert, rather than sweet pastries and cookies.
3. Get some good containers that will hold a sandwich so that it won’t get crushed. Smaller containers can hold dip for dipping celery and carrots.
4. Add some air popped corn, as an alternative to chips, or mix up your own trail mix.
5. What are your children’s favorite dinner items? Cook up some extra to send for their lunch the next day.
6. Shop Costco and Sam’s club for lunch sized packages of crackers, nuts and other items to save

Sandwiches - always something easy to carry. You can add interest by using different types of bread and fillings. Here are some of our favorites:

• Peanut butter and jelly on raisin cinnamon bread
• Roast turkey on whole wheat with your favorite toppings
• Tuna or turkey in a whole grain wrap or pita pocket
• Whole grain crackers spread with cream cheese, peanut butter and jelly
• Cold-cut roll ups - lean, low-fat turkey, ham, or roast beef with low-fat cheese rolled up in whole grain flour tortillas

When kids are tired of sandwiches, try:

• Celery filled with peanut butter, or apples slices with peanut butter
• Left-over pizza
• Pasta salad - pasta in fun shapes combined with veggies, leftover chicken breast, and a light oil and vinegar dressing (another good way to use up leftovers)

Don’t forget to add some fruit, and your children will have an enjoyable, nutritious, and cost effective lunch.

Tags: Ala Carte, Cinnamon Bread, Cold Cut, Costco, Cream Cheese, Different Types Of Bread, Fillings, Lunchtime, Morning Rush, Nutritious Lunch, Pastries, Peanut Butter And Jelly, Proper Nutrition, Roa, Roast Turkey, Roll Ups, Sam S Club, School Lunches, Water Bottles, Whole Grain, Whole Wheat

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 20th, 2008 at 3:57 pm and is filed under Food Savings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.