Mom! What's for lunch? Ideas for home and your little one's lunchbox!

 

Maybe you are on spring break this week. Maybe your child is 100% learning remotely or has always been home schooled. Whatever your circumstance - your child needs lunch! The key to being able to prepare a lunch your child will love is not the need for fantastical and whimsical, artfully arranged food that looks as though a professional stylist created a next level masterpiece. Simply have a few well loved ingredients and food items on hand to put together a lunch they will WANT to eat (and never trade)!

Categories

Think in terms of categories - 

proteins, fruits, vegetables, grains, and treats. 

Pairings

Just as we like to eat certain food combinations, your child likely has developed a taste for certain foods together and whether you might never consider traying peanut butter and banana, if that is a combo your child loves - go with it!

Flexibility 

When introducing a new food(s), remember not every swing is a homerun, and have an alternative in mind. It's best to introduce something for the first time when your child is home so they can have another choice. 

Keep in mind the need to substitute ingredients based on allergies as well as preferences.

Try not to focus on strict adherence to nutritional guidelines per meal but rather in making sure your child gets what they need throughout the course of a day.

Menu Ideas

Use classic lunch menus (including those inside prepacked commercial lunch products) as a starting point. The reason manufacturers and marketers make selections like ham and swiss or veggies with humus, is because they have been proven to be purchased and enjoyed. A way to bring these pairings to life is in the presentation - cut meats and cheeses into bite sized cubes, or even fun geometric shapes or package veggies and dips in easy to open, decorative containers.

Veggie Nuggets

Make some veggie nuggets and include their favorite sauce or dip.

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup each boiled or steamed tender carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower, cooled 
• 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs for filling, plus extra for dipping formed nuggets 
• 1 large egg 
• Salt and pepper, to taste 
• Vegetable oil for frying 

Steps: 

1. Combine vegetables, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, salt and pepper. 
2. Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to portion out veggie mixture into a ball, then flatten into a nugget shape. 
3. Coat nuggets with more breadcrumbs. 
4. Fry nuggets until golden brown or use an air fryer. 
5. Drain and cool. 
6. Nuggets can also be baked in a traditional oven at 400° F for about 15 minutes. 

For more lunch ideas and recipes, check out this post!

Enjoy this time with the children in your life. As many of us already know, the days may seem long, but the years pass quickly - make sure they (and you) are Fed Well!