In a Lunch Box Rut? Shakeup Your Kid’s Midday Meal

Yahoo Food

By Dina El Nabli for ediblefeast.com

If you’re packing a turkey and cheese sandwich in your kid’s lunch box more often that he’d like, you may be in a lunch box rut. And it’s only September.

We asked some of our favorite authors and clean eating bloggers for their best advice when it comes to packing healthful lunches your kids will want to eat. From time-saving tips to strategies that get them eating more fruits and vegetables, here’s what they shared:

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Photo by Michelle Dudash, RDN

Assemble Their Favorite Munchies in a Bento, Michelle Dudash, dishwithdudash.com
“Rotate their favorite fruits that are in-season. Most kids love in-shell edamame, which counts as a vegetable and a protein. Turn dyed Easter eggs into a year-round craft that your kids can show off to their friends and eat, for protein, iron and choline. Popcorn makes for a great side dish that is a true whole grain.”

Ten Dinners That Make Great Lunch Box Leftovers

Make-Ahead and Freeze, Lisa Leake, 100 Days of Real Food
“There’s no need to have one big cooking day each month, but instead while you’re making dinner or even waffles on the weekend consider doubling the recipe and adding them to your school lunch stash in the freezer.”

Get the Recipe: Lisa’s Make-Ahead Mini Lunch Box Quiches

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Photo courtesy Fair Winds Press, 2014

Get Creative with Sandwiches, Laura Fuentes, momables.com
“I love filling sandwiches with hummus, pesto, and veggies and make a club sandwich. Eggs are also a terrific option. I like making pesto egg salad and stuffing a sandwich or a wrap with it. I just started making coconut butter and jelly sandwiches and they’ve been a huge hit as well.”

Get Laura’s Recipe: Mashed Chickpea Sandwich

Give the Kids a Job, Katie Morford, momskitchenhandbook.com
“Divide and conquer when it comes to packing lunch. Farm out part of the job to the kids, say packing fruits, vegetables, and sides, while you run under the main course. Or reverse roles, and enlist them to make sandwiches or fill containers with leftover pasta.”

Lunch Box Leftover: Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Peas and Chard

Make Salad Kid-Friendly, Leah Brooks, author of Baking with Kids
“Deconstruct salads by making lettuce spears, carrot sticks, and cucumber ‘dippers’ and have a tasty homemade vinaigrette as a dipping sauce. Better yet - involve them in making the dressing by letting them taste test and adjust seasoning.”

Ten Tips for Dealing with Picky Eaters

Throw in a Fun Treat, Ashley Fox Whipple, author of Super Cute Crispy Treats
“Fruit and veggies cut into shapes are a big hit. I also try to switch things up from time to time so lunch doesn’t get boring. A fun little treat on special occasions is my other secret to creating a good lunch that my kids are excited to eat.”

Get the Recipe: Easy Blueberry Vanilla Granola Bars

Freeze Their Water Bottles, Katie Morford, momskitchenhandbook.com
“Fill your water bottle and freeze overnight. It can double as an ice pack and will defrost enough by lunch time to provide icy hydration. Be sure not to fill bottles to the tippy top since water expands as it freezes. It’s also best to avoid this with glass bottles since they can crack in the freezer.”