Back to School: Pack a Lunch

JLP Staff

Nutrition /

With the school year right around the corner, it’s time jump back into a routine that might include packing a lunch for your child. Most schools are trying to upgrade their lunch programs, but not every school cafeteria offers appealing, healthy lunch choices every day. Here are 5 reasons to pack a lunch and 5 well rounded lunches to get you started!

Reasons to Bring:

Control: Packing a lunch lets you control exactly what goes into the food your child eats and helps them avoid temptations like pizza and cookies in the lunch line.
Variety: Packing a lunch lets your child enjoy some of their favorites that they might not find at school everyday, like homemade chicken soup, hummus and pita bread, or a crisp farm-stand apple.
Energy: If your child has a game or activity after school, it is important that they have enough energy at the end of the school day to participate. Packing their lunch can ensure that they are getting lean proteins with carbohydrates to give them lasting energy and keep them going.
Money: Buying a lunch every day can be expensive. It is estimated that you can save $10-20/week packing a lunch using reusable containers. This can really add up over the course of the school year.
Sentiment: Remember when your mom and dad used to pack your lunch? They might include a note, too. Packing a lunch for your child can spread that warm and fuzzy feeling and give them a little pick-me-up in the middle of the day.

A Week of Lunches to get you Started!

Monday: Turkey and cheese club sandwich, peas, and apple slices with almond butter

Tuesday: Smashed chickpeas with pita, carrots with yogurt dip, and a banana

Wednesday: Turkey-spinach wraps, popcorn, cucumber slices, and grapes

Thursday: Hardboiled eggs, zucchini muffins, string cheese, gold fish, and blueberries

Friday: Refried bean and cheese quesadilla, avocado with lime, and strawberries

Categories: Nutrition, Parenting

About The Author

Joan Lunden’s in-house research and writing team works with Joan to create content that complements her focuses and the interests of her fans. The team is dedicated to creating a thriving community through content and conversations, and hopes their work, like Joan’s, can make a difference in the lives of her readers everywhere.

Back to School: Pack a Lunch

Reasons to Bring:

Control: Packing a lunch lets you control exactly what goes into the food your child eats and helps them avoid temptations like pizza and cookies in the lunch line.

Variety: Packing a lunch lets your child enjoy some of their favorites that they might not find at school everyday, like homemade chicken soup, hummus and pita bread, or a crisp farm-stand apple.

Energy: If your child has a game or activity after school, it is important that they have enough energy at the end of the school day to participate. Packing their lunch can ensure that they are getting lean proteins with carbohydrates to give them lasting energy and keep them going.

Money: Buying a lunch every day can be expensive. It is estimated that you can save $10-20/week packing a lunch using reusable containers. This can really add up over the course of the school year.

Sentiment: Remember when your mom and dad used to pack your lunch? They might include a note, too. Packing a lunch for your child can spread that warm and fuzzy feeling and give them a little pick-me-up in the middle of the day.