Quick and Healthy Lunch Hacks for Your Kiddos
A new school year is upon us, and you know what that means. It’s time to stock up on new school supplies, clothes, and other necessary classroom items for your children. But what about stocking up on healthy lunch foods? While this may not immediately come to mind when getting your child ready for school, it does play an essential role in their academic success.
Whether your child is returning to their school campus with precautionary guidelines or will be acing their classes with virtual learning, eating the right foods will help them focus, learn, and perform better. With that in mind, we’d like to share some quick, nutritious meal and snack options that your little one can enjoy during their afternoon lunch break.
What Makes a Child’s Meal Healthy?
According to the Mayo Clinic’s latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans, children should eat nutrient-rich foods that contain protein, fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy. Kids’ daily lunches should include these foods based on their recommended diet and calorie intake, and in the best portion sizes for their activity levels.
To give you a better idea of these food types, here are some examples:
Protein: Lean meat, poultry, eggs, beans, peas, nuts, and seeds.
Fruits and Vegetables: A variety of fruits and vegetables that can be consumed in their fresh, canned, frozen, or dried forms.
Grains: Whole grains like whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, popcorn, quinoa, brown, or wild rice.
Dairy: Fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese.
To learn more about how many calories your youngin needs to consume or the portion sizes they should be eating, we recommend consulting with your family physician.
Making Nutritious Meals and Snacks Fun: Mix and Match!
Now that you know what a healthy meal looks like, it’s time for the fun part - customizing your youngster’s healthy lunch food combinations. Here are more nutrient-dense meal options that you can incorporate into your kid’s lunches.
Main Meals:
- Pita bread and hummus
- Turkey and cheese rollups
- Turkey and cream cheese tortilla rollups
- Ham and spinach rollups
- Egg salad
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Rotisserie chicken
- Cranberry walnut chicken salad
- Pasta or green salad (best served with veggies)
- Peanut or almond butter and jelly sandwich
- Cooked quinoa, roasted veggies, and chicken breast
- Cheese quesadilla
Sides/Snacks:
- Yogurt
- Cherry tomatoes
- Sliced oranges
- Grapes and blueberries
- Raspberries and blueberries
- Cucumbers, carrots, and cheese
- Celery and carrots
- Broccoli and ranch
- Trail mix
- Crackers and cheese
- Cashews, pecans, and almonds
- An assortment of fruits and vegetables
Drinks:
- Water
- 100% Real Juice
- Milk
Changing up your kiddie’s lunches will keep their appetite steady as they’ll be less likely to get bored with their food. We recommend being proactive by planning out their meals ahead of time to not only save yourself time but also know which groceries to buy. Though it might seem tedious at first, a huge perk about meal planning is that it will make your busy on-the-go days much smoother and productive.
A Wholesome & Appetizing Kid-Approved Dessert
If your kid won’t eat their vegetables, don’t sweat it mom, because we have just the solution! Our chocolate chip Baked Smart Cookie has plenty of natural fruits and veggies in every bite. Your child can enjoy this yummy, healthy cookie as a snack or dessert in their lunch, and even you can enjoy one of these guilt-free cookies while you’re out for errands.
The Baked Smart Cookie is made with lots of love along with these fruits and vegetables: kale, broccoli, carrot, sweet potato, apple, banana, pineapple, and strawberry. They are rich in vitamins C, A, and K, fiber, calcium, potassium, antioxidants, and other vital nutrients.
If your child has any food allergies or sensitivities, you’ll also be relieved to know that our cookies are certified USDA organic, non-GMO, vegan, and soy/peanut-free.
If you know your little one has a sweet tooth or a big craving for chocolate chip cookies, why not give them healthy ones? Place a Baked Smart Cookie into their lunchbox with any of the above healthy meals, and if these tasty, chocolatey cookies are missing in your antry, order a box online today. We wish you and your child an awesome and healthy school year!
Make your kid’s lunch a healthy one with a Baked Smart Cookie!
