This year we have illustrious plans.  Lunches will be made the night before, they will include fun, healthy options, and ‘litterless‘ will be a huge goal.  Ok, even if we only bat one for three, here are a few tips that may make coming up with healthy school lunch ideas a bit easier.

1.    Substitute avocado or hummus for mayo – avocado serves as a healthy fat source plus provides a creamy spread for sandwiches.

2.  Use your slow cooker overnight to have healthy hot thermos food ready and waiting in the morning.  Hot lunches are a treat in the winter.  (Or you could just reheat leftovers).  Our Slow Cooker Pinterest Board is a great source for recipes.

3.    Pep up your plain old PB&J with almond butter and fresh fruit slices –fresh fruit means natural sugars.  Check with the school if ‘peanut-free’ also means ‘almond-free’.  Stores like Whole Foods have great peanut butter alternatives.

4.    Margaret Ng, Health and Wellness Manager, at Pacific Blue Cross recommends always using whole grain breads or tortillas – wraps are a fun change of pace especially when they are packed with veggies.  And when you’re not around to hear the kids complain, we bet they’ll forgo the white bread – especially after a busy morning of school.

5.    Swap processed chips and snacks for healthier homemade options like trail mix with dried fruits and nuts, homemade fruit roll-ups or granola balls.

6.  Keep it petite: Little people enjoy little portions so they can snack through the day.  Out: the double-decker hero sandwich.  In: A stylish Bento box filled with flavours and colours.

7. Play with their food.  It needn’t take a ton of extra time to cut their sandwiches with cookie cutters or insert raisin eyes into a celery/cream cheese caterpillar.  If you want more fun ideas we are always updating our school lunch Pinterest board.

8.  Add fun with finger foods: Experiment with nutritious dips and spreads for veggies and crackers. Alternatively, boil an egg they can peel themselves.

9.  Consult your kid: There is no better way to ensure they eat their lunch than by getting their buy-in. Find out what their favourite snacks are and shop accordingly.  If they are older, give them an assignment at the grocery store to find 5 healthy options they will want to take in their lunch and send them down the aisles.  (Make sure you get veto-power though).

Good Luck and Happy Lunch-making!