Preparing lunches for your children is a big job, so make it easier with the right tools. You’ll avoid common perils like salad dressing leaks and meat spoilage. Use reusable containers for things like jello, pudding and cobbler, or a good diet food (nut-free options are also available). Kids love cute animal, puzzle or heart shaped sandwich cutters to make their meal more appealing.
The Art of Packing
Taking a cue from store-bought lunchables, pack foods in small containers with resealable lids. This will help them stay fresh and prevent leaking, spills and odors. Consider buying a thermos (aff link) for packing hot items like soup or hot dogs. Some kids prefer warm food at lunchtime.
Keep snacks from getting soggy and mushy by layering the heaviest items on the bottom of the lunch box and lighter ingredients like greens or lettuce on top. Also, try packing the wet toppings like salad dressing or tomato sauce in a small, resealable plastic pouch to be added at lunchtime.
Tools like silicone cupcake liners and sandwich shape cutters can make it easy to pack fun foods for little ones. And don’t forget a water bottle and ice pack to keep things cool! And remember to wash all containers, bags and utensils after each use.
Nutrition Matters
Whether served at the table or packed in a hot lunch box, healthy meals should include food from all five of the recommended groups. Using the interactive Healthy Eating Plate as a guide will help you build balanced meals.
A simple way to make lunches more interesting is to encourage your kids to create food art, such as arranging their favorite fruits and vegetables into shapes or patterns. For example, a triangle-shaped cheese quesadilla and sliced fruit is an easy snack for toddlers.
Having tools on hand like silicone cupcake liners (great for making small sandwiches or muffins) and small cutters is also helpful. And an all-in-one box that separates dressing from greens and includes a reusable fork is essential for adult lunch boxes, too. It’s leak resistant, BPA-free and dishwasher safe. Plus, it has a neoprene sleeve to protect your bag.
Hydration
If your kids like to eat their food warm or you’re packing a hot lunch, a thermos is essential. The best thermoses will keep cold foods like soup, eggs, and tuna as well as reheated foods like quesadillas and tortellini at just the right temperature.
You can also pack a thermos of water to help them stay hydrated at school, too. This insulated bottle from S’well is the top pick for keeping drinks cold and hot. It’s also small enough to fit in most lunch boxes and features a cute kid-friendly design. It’s also made with non-lead and BPA-free materials.
Nation
If you’re going all-in on eco-friendly lunches, consider investing in a good lunch box that’ll help keep food cold and uncrushed. There are lots of options out there including mason jars, stainless steel containers and beeswax wraps. If you have kids who prefer hot foods like quesadillas or tortellini, there’s a great option called OmieBox that comes with a thermos for hot food (affiliate link).
If your kids are grazers by nature, you can also pack them a selection of healthy snacks and treats. Think about items that can be eaten in small bites and provide a mix of protein, fat, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Examples include whole grain chips with homemade guacamole, roasted vegetables and cheese sticks or chicken strips with brown rice and low-sodium soy sauce. These foods will keep hunger at bay until lunchtime!
Food Safety First
Use lunch box preparation time as an opportunity to teach children about balanced meals. Help them learn that eating a variety of foods from each food group (i.e., fruits, vegetables, grains and protein) will keep their body healthy.
Choose insulated lunch boxes that can fit a freezer pack or small frozen water bottle to keep foods like meat, fish, chicken, eggs, noodles, rice, yoghurt and cheese cold. This will slow the growth of harmful bacteria that can make kids sick.
Silicone baking cups are a great way to create divided sections in flat containers for things like crackers and sliced cheese or small snacks. Also consider reusable utensils made of recycled plastic, stainless steel or even bamboo for your child’s lunchbox. They are great for reducing waste from single-use plastic disposable forks and spoons.
Allergen Awareness
If your child has any food allergies, you will want to look for a lunch box that can easily accommodate different types of foods and snacks. This stainless steel bento box is one option recommended by Wirecutter and has five compartments, which should be enough for a full sandwich or wrap, whole grain chips, a handful of strawberries or pretzels, and more.
Another good option is this insulated jar that can hold soup and other liquid foods and has a neoprene sleeve that helps prevent leakage. And it also comes in several kid-friendly colors and designs.
Sustainability
To help reduce your environmental footprint, look for eco-friendly lunch boxes and containers made from stainless steel, glass or fabric. These are better for the planet from cradle to grave than conventional plastic or synthetic options that pollute the environment from production to end-of-life. Opt for insulated stainless steel food containers that keep your meals cold and tasty. These are also leak-proof and dishwasher safe.
Choose bento box-style containers that can hold various items and prevent them from touching (as well as contain small cups for dipping sauces or salad dressing). Also, consider buying reusable silicon baking cups that create divided sections in flat containers – perfect for packing a handful of crackers or sliced cheese with veggies. This way, you can cut down on disposable utensils as well!
Savvy Kids’ Corner
While chicken tenders and nuggets are ranked the most popular fast-food kids’ meal items, many chains now offer healthier options such as grilled chicken wraps and sandwiches. Often, paired with fruit and a beverage such as milk or juice, these options make for some of the healthiest kid’s meals on the market.
New York Times bestselling authors Susan Beacham and Lynnette Khalfani Cox’s “Money Savvy Kid$ Club” children’s books teach young readers that money is not just for pizza or the latest toys and games. It’s also about learning how to save, spend, donate or invest.
Adulting Lunches
Packing lunches for work or school is a great way to save money and ensure you have a nutritionally balanced meal on hand. But it can get difficult to come up with new ideas that aren’t just a PB&J or salad.
Adult Lunchables are an easy solution to lunch boredom that will keep you full and satisfied all day long. Plus, you can customize them to suit your taste and dietary needs!
Upgrade your lunches with a layered bento box, wide-mouth mason jar or plastic container filled with a protein and veggie combo. These DIY Lunchables will keep you satiated all day and are great for taking to the office, on the go or picnics in the park.
Lunch on the Go
Using a bento box with stackable containers, make meals that your kids will love and want to eat. Start with healthy coleslaw made from shredded cabbage and carrots, add a few kid favourite like chicken nuggets or sliced avocado and cucumber, top with fresh fruit and they’ll be excited to dig into their lunch.
Stock your pantry with budget-friendly ingredients that will make it easier to create well-balanced meals. Make sure you have plenty of plant-based whole foods on hand, such as hummus and guacamole to pair with tortillas for wraps or burrito bowls, quinoa salad, black bean dip and veggie sushi bites.
Don’t forget reusable items for packing, including silicone baking cups and bento box dividers. These can be used to pack smaller snacks or desserts, such as berries and pretzels or a chocolate pudding.
