Whether you are a stay-at-home/work-at-home parent or your child is old enough to be home alone in the summertime or he/she will be attending a day camp, stocking up on lunch items will now be a priority. Lunch in my house tends to be quick, easy, and simple. I try to have healthy options so that my children, who are beginning to try their hand at independently preparing their own lunch, will feel good about their choices.
- Cheese – Cheese comes in so many forms. Try a variety of cheeses to make lunches easy, healthy, and delicious: cheese on whole-wheat crackers, grilled cheese sandwich, cottage cheese and fruit, or
- Eggs – I often make hard-boiled eggs for a potato salad or tuna salad. I always make more eggs than needed because they make such a good lunch. Even my kids can bring eggs to a boil, then remove from heat and let sit for 15 minutes. Eggs are wholesome, inexpensive, and full of protein to get kids through the day. We love to fry eggs in a little olive oil to put on sandwiches, too. Try mini-quiches made in a muffin tin for portion control and ease.
- Bread – Whoever was the first person to think of taking a slice of bread, tortilla, pita, naan, or any other bread-type food and wrap it around otherwise messy food was a genius! Bread turns anything into finger food. Fill it with tuna, leftovers, scrambled eggs, salad, meat/cheese, anything (with the exception of soup – take my word for it).
- Salads – Salads can be made in batches and then eaten throughout week, making them a healthy and simple option for lunch. There are many types of salads to choose from: garden salads, pasta salads, potato salads, chicken/tuna salads, etc. For more inspiration, check out this incredible selection of salads.
- Dips and Spreads – Salsa, guacamole, hummus, bean dip, yogurt, nut butters, and pesto all turn basic, boring albeit nutritious food into tasty and interesting food. Use cut veggies, pita, fruit, and whole-grain crackers into fun food.
What are your favorites for a healthy lunch with children?