Moms Vibe:
By Krystle J. Bailey
It is almost that time again for rushed mornings, school lunches, and picky eaters. We do our best to ensure nutritious meals for their school days, just hoping they will squeeze a nutrient or two into their bodies at lunchtime.
As we prepare to embark on a new year, I’ve been looking for creative ways to offer wholesome meals that my kids will actually eat.
The fun part of parenting in a digital age is the ability to say, “Hey, go make a Pinterest board of lunches you’d eat and send it my way.” That is exactly what I did with my pre-teen picky eater this year.
Check out these lunch box tips and ideas:
Bento Boxes
Kids bento boxes have been the lunch box craze the last few years. With so many sizes and brands to choose from, the bento-style lunch offers a visually appealing array of food. The mini buffet saves children time that they would be spending opening various bags and containers and gives them more time to enjoy their meal.
Eat the rainbow
Kids love to eat foods that are appealing to the eyes. We’ve always been taught to “eat the rainbow.” Packing pretty foods in a way that excites young minds is a great way to get kids filled up on nutrition. Fancy it up by adding Toothpicks to their meals so they feel like they’re eating fancy appetizers at lunch.
Focus On Their Favorites
Pack what you know your kids will eat, not what you wish they would eat. Mini skewers are a creative way to piece together their favorites in an enticing way. Pick their favorite protein, veggie, and fruit, then add them to a kid-safe skewer. Take it up a notch by using mini cookie cutters to create fun shapes.
Multitasking Leftovers
Rather than spending your time planning two meals, double up your dinner recipes to serve as the next day’s lunch. As you clean up from dinner, pack the leftovers right into their lunchboxes for the next day. That’s one less thing you have to think about tomorrow.
Bulk Prep
Once you’ve identified a few staples you know your little one will eat, block out some time to bulk prep their favorites. Boil eggs, cut fruits and veggies, make muffins for the week, etc. With favorite foods prepped and ready, your day-to-day becomes that much simpler.
Gain Inspiration
The internet is a never-ending supply of lunch box inspiration. Check out the world of Pinterest for some creative ideas or follow these Instagram accounts:
@kidfriendly.meals
@lunchbots
@bowsandbentos
@yumboxlunch
@lazylunchboxlady
@lunchboxmafia
@lunchboxdad
Happy new school year, Shore Local Mommas!!
Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet.
Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5
