Parents: 5 Tips for Stress-Free School Lunch Prep

For most parents, August means back-to-school prep mode—and that includes thinking about lunches. Packing school lunches can feel like a big job, but it really doesn’t have to be stressful. Read on for a few handy tips and tools to help you make healthy school lunches with ease (and a little fun).

1. Lunch Box

Young kids love getting a new lunch box with the latest cartoon character, action figure or other popular design. Whatever the choice, make sure it’s both sturdy and easy to clean. Also, remember to write your child’s name in it using a permanent marker in case it gets lost on the playground.

2. Cold Packs

Cold packs are a must. It only takes a few hours for a non-refrigerated lunch to start growing harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses and make your child sick. What’s more, chilled foods allowed to sit at room temperature tend to go straight to the trash. Warm string cheese, anyone? Consider purchasing several cold packs so you always have one in the freezer ready for use. Some even come in fun shapes such as soccer balls, baseballs and flowers.

3. Thermos

Be sure to purchase two high-quality thermoses, one for beverages and another for food. The best choices are those made from stainless steel. For food, choose a small one (about 10 ounces) with a wide mouth so your child can see what’s inside. Make sure it can safely store hot foods for up to 6 hours.

4.  Sandwich & Snack Containers

Sturdy containers for sandwiches and other snacks are a plus. You’ll avoid overusing disposable baggies, which is friendly to both your budget and the environment. Plus, these containers help keep food fresher and prevent squishing, so your child’s lunch stays appetizing until it’s time to eat.

5. Stickers, Jokes or Fancy Napkins

Don’t forget to pack a little fun in your child’s lunch box. Keep a stash of jokes, riddles and bright stickers on hand for plenty of options to lighten the noontime meal. Be sure to mix it up to keep your child guessing. That’s half the fun. It’s a no-fuss way to keep your child smiling throughout the new school year.

If you want more practical guidelines for easing into the school year like what to look for in a quality backpack, how to get “homework ready” and more, you’ll want to take a look at Chapter 13 in Eating for A’s.

Enjoy a great August!

Lorna & Kathleen
Co-authors of Eating for A’s

P.S. Need goal tracking forms? You’ll find a full set in Eating for A’s—one for each pre-set monthly goal and extra credit. We call them My Smart Tracker forms. You can call them one of the easiest ways to help your kids reach their full potential in the classroom and beyond.