Packed Lunch Survival Guide: Diverse Menus

If your child’s school doesn’t provide what you consider nutritional lunches (see: Two Angry Moms on a Mission), you may likely feel doomed to pack lunches for eternity. That may be so, but it doesn’t have to be such a chore that you fall into the habit of packing the same ole things day in and day out. When you’re rushed for time, it’s hard to focus on diversity when shopping and you may fall prey to easy options—such as Lunchables, or packaged snacks that are full of preservatives, sugar, salt and additives. The point of packing a lunch is to pack a healthier lunch—but of course, one that your children will actually eat. For that reason, I’ve put together another shopping list (see list for week one and two) and two weeks of menus that I think your cherubs will enjoy—and will be easy for you to put together. 

Just as I prefer food with texture, kids love to crunch. Grapes burst, soybeans pop from their pods with Edamame, and nuts in trail mix crunch between kids’ little teeth (before the Tooth Fairy gets a hold of them). As mentioned previously, when shopping, look for organic—especially for fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, or grapes (see: Is Organic Food Really Better for You?). Try to buy whole wheat or gluten-free if your child has wheat allergies. Also buy sliced meats from a deli counter instead of packaged meats with long shelf lives to avoid excess preservatives.

(At the end of the week, pour some Chardonnay into your kid’s old sippy cup—for you only, of course!—and pat yourself on the back.)

Week Three Grocery List:

• Panini bread
• Cheese or meat tortellini
• Chow Mein noodles
• Sesame dressing
• Sliced turkey or tofurkey
• Tomatoes
• Mozzarella cheese
• Edamame
• Yellow and orange peppers
• Potato or sweet potato chips (Look for preservative-free, low-salt varieties; if chips aren’t allowed at school, opt for bagel chips)
• Yogurt tubes
• Pretzels
• Grapes
• Other fruit in season (strawberries, blueberries, peaches, etc.)
• Dried fruit or fruit strips
• Pudding
• Trail mix