The traditional school day offered students three opportunities for nourishment. With the new balanced day format there are two opportunities for delicious foods usually about 20 minutes each, one mid-morning and one mid afternoon.
Instead of thinking about two snacks and one lunch the parent's meal planning minds now shift to two larger snacks or one big lunch and one mid-sized snack.
Look to have a mixture of protein, fruit or vegetable and water at each break. While this may seem daunting, once you get into a groove it will be simple and don't forget to enlist your child for help, after all he or she will eventually be able to pack lunches on their own.
After the first week review what was a hit and what was "meh"
Tips
- Look for an insulated divided lunch bag that separates the morning and afternoon foods.
- Try a bento box: a divided resealable container to put a variety of ingredients into: great for the kids who like to keep foods separate or mix and match.
- Put ice in reusable water bottles to keep cold.
- Invest in two good stainless steel thermos one to keep in the freezer so smoothies stay slushy and the other to keep soups and stews hot.
Here is a sample five day week:
Monday:
a.m. Strawberry banana smoothie, carrot muffin, water
p.m.: Bento Box: hummus, quinoa crackers, cheddar cheese squares, carrot & celery sticks, water
Tuesday:
a.m. Breakfast wrap: tortilla, sliced hard boiled egg, diced ham, tomato, lettuce, shredded cheese, mayo and water bottle
p.m. Sweet potato soup & whole grain bun, orange wedges, water
Wednesday:
a.m. Bento box: Apple slices with dip cup of sunbutter and another of granola (dunk Apple slice in sunbutter then granola), hard boiled egg, water
p.m. Fajitas: chicken slices, salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese, shredded lettuce and one flour tortilla wrap, water
Thursday:
a.m. Smoothie: Apple pie smoothie & power puck
p.m. Chicken & alphabet noodle soup made with diced carrots, celery and peppers, whole grain bun, water
Friday:
a.m. Bento box: deconstructed sushi: brown rice, nori paper squares, julienne vegetables (cucumbers celery, carrots and or peppers, ( include a spoon -kids make their own) water
p.m.: tuna or egg salad sandwich, banana, water
