Did your kid go back to school this week, or are they going back next week? It’s an exciting time, and you want to make sure they have the energy and attitude to learn and play as much as possible while they’re away from you during the day. That means a healthy, tasty lunch! Many school lunch programs are, despite their best efforts, not as healthy as we’d like them to be, and not as tasty as kids would like them to be. The answer? Pack their lunch. Even if you only do it a couple of days a week and send them with lunch money the other days, you’ll still be making a difference in their nutrition and possibly, your wallet. For kids who go to a school where there’s no lunch program, you don’t have a choice but to pack them something, so it might as well be healthy and tasty. My son (21 months) recently started going to a nanny twice a week, and I've dived headfirst into the lunch packing game. Read on for easy ways to accomplish this, and for a surprising twist at the end.
Switch Up Your Supplies
Ditch the paper sacks and plastic bags for an environmentally friendly and fun bento box-style lunch box for your 
kid. I estimate that, depending on what brand of disposable lunch bags and snack bags you’ve been using, you could save around $200 per child per year by using reusable lunch items. Check out Laptop Lunches, which come with different size reusable containers and an insulated tote. Everything is washable and reusable. I haven’t bought one yet, but I want one for my son. Right now I’m using an insulated lunch tote I already had on hand, and I purchased some small plastic containers with secure lids to pack things like fruit, yogurt, crackers and veggies with dip. Using an insulated tote is important, because you need to keep things like cheese, milk, and yogurt cold. I always include an ice pack in my son’s lunch. If you want to send them with hot soup or a hot drink, pack it in a thermos. Once, I even stuffed a bean and cheese burrito into a thermos, and my son’s nanny said it was still warm come lunchtime.
Lunch Should Be Exciting
Don’t pack your kid the same exact thing every day. Sure, you can pack certain favorite foods, but try to switch it up
daily. First off, he/she will get bored with the same exact lunch every day, and second, your child will benefit nutritionally from a variety of foods throughout the week. Instead of the same fruit every day, pack strawberries on Monday, blueberries on Tuesday, apples on Wednesday, and so on. Instead of the same old sliced sandwich bread every day, try bagels, English muffins, sandwich wraps, or flatbread crackers. If your child likes a turkey sandwich every day, switch it up with different cheeses, spreads, and types of veggies. If your child enjoyed Tuesday night's dinner, why not turn it into lunch on Wednesday? Roasted chicken can be rolled up in a tortilla with pesto, tomato, and cheese, and leftover pasta can be turned into pasta salad by mixing with salad dressing, fresh mozzarella, beans, and chopped veggies. If your child has a hard time getting excited about fruits and vegetables, including a dip with lunch might make things more appetizing and add extra nutrition. Thick, creamy greek yogurt makes a great dip for fruit, and salsa, and hummus is tasty with veggies. A great site for inspiration is weelicious.com. If you “friend” weelicious on facebook, you can see pictures of the lunches she packs for her kids every day (you can see one picture at right). It’s awesome!
Little Hands Make Great Little Lunches
When kids make their own food, 
they’re more likely to want to eat it. Children as young as three can help make and even plan their lunches. Take them to the store and let them pick fruits, veggies, and bread options (preferably 100% whole grain) for lunch. For young children, give them a choice between two things for their lunch that day. You can say, “Would you rather have a cheese sandwich or a turkey sandwich?” Then they can pick toppings for their sandwich, the fruit they want with the sandwich, a drink and a snack. Don’t give young children more than three choices at a time. You’ll find yourself repeating them over and over. Just keep it simple for little brains! When you think your child is ready, you can have him/her help assemble sandwiches, cut up fruit, and put food into containers. If you start doing this in preschool or before, then by 4th or 5th grade, your child should be ready to pack his/her own lunch. You’ll still have to supervise to make sure he/she is packing wisely, but you’ll both feel great about his/her independence. It helps to keep the fridge stocked with sliced cheese (pre-sliced, or slice it yourself), cut-up veggies and fruits, and dipping sauces so that it’s easy for kids to reach for those things instead of packaged, less healthy options.
What NOT to Pack
Many school have rules about lunches, for example: no glass bottles, no peanut products, etc. Check with your school before the first day to find out what is and what is not allowed in lunches. It's also generally a good idea to avoid packing smelly foods if your child will be eating in an enclosed area. Your child might love tuna salad and curries, but the kid next to him/her might not. Save the more aromatic foods for home!
And… the Twist!
As long as you're doing this, pack your (and your spouse’s) lunch for work, too. It'll save you money and calories, and might end up being much tastier than your usual pre-packaged sandwich. Plus, you’ll be a good role model for your children. If they see you packing similar lunches for the whole family, including yourself, they’ll be more likely to enjoy their lunch and make healthy choices as they grow up.
What sort of lunch do you pack for your little one?
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