With the new school year just around the corner, it’s time to seek out delicious and innovative ways to pack nutritious lunches! At DeeBee’s Organics, we understand the importance of providing wholesome meals that fuel growing minds and bodies.
Here are our favourite back-to-school lunchbox hacks that will make your life easier, and your kids' lunches more fun!
Bento Box Bounty
Just like adults, kids can often eat with their eyes—and a simple way to make lunch fun is to invest in a bento box lunchbox! Bento boxes are larger containers with smaller individual inserts inside. These inserts can hold a variety of your child’s favourite lunchtime foods and make it easier for them to choose the items they’re craving each day, as well as keep foods separated and better track your child’s nutrition. From crunchy veggies with healthy dips to sliced cheese and crackers, the mix-and-match style of bento boxes make them a great addition to your lunchtime routine. Check out this sustainable Bento Box set we love from Planet Box.
Freezer Sandwiches
School day mornings are often chaotic, but you can save time and reduce lunch-prep stress by making and freezing sandwiches ahead of time! Prepare sandwiches with sprouted whole grain bread, natural deli meats, and cheese or plant-based alternatives. Wrap them individually and store them in the freezer. In the morning, grab a sandwich from the freezer, and by lunchtime, it will be perfectly thawed and ready to eat, no ice pack needed! Pro tip: try adding fruits and veggies on the side as a great finger food compliment.
Sneaky Veggies
Incorporating vegetables into your child's lunch can be challenging, but with a bit of creativity, you can include them in a delicious way they’ll love! Grate carrots into pasta salads, finely chop onions into meatballs or blend roasted cauliflower into a creamy soup. For younger kids, cutting veggies like peppers, cucumbers, and carrots into fun shapes can be a great way to get them excited about healthy eating early in life.
DIY Snack Packs
Save time and money while avoiding unhealthy additives by creating your own wholesome snack packs! Pack lunchboxes with small packages of your kids’ favourite healthy snacks like dried fruits, nuts, seeds, popcorn, chocolate chips, granola, or your own homemade treats. You can even build your own lunchable-style snacks with natural deli meats, sliced organic cheese, and wholegrain crackers. Making your own snack packs also allows you to customize portion sizes for smaller appetites while also ensuring that your child is enjoying a variety of healthy foods!
Infused Water
Avoid sugary soft drinks and juices by sending your kids to school with refreshing and hydrating infused water. Fill a reusable BPA-free water bottle with sliced fruits like strawberries, lemons, limes, raspberries, or cucumbers, along with some mint leaves for added freshness! This delightful combination will encourage your kids to stay hydrated throughout the day in a healthful and nourishing way. Check out some of our favorite fun and eco-friendly water bottles from Sustainable Jungle.
Involve Your Kids
One of our favourite lunchbox hacks is to involve your children in the process! When you allow your kids to help choose some of their favourite healthy fruits, veggies, sandwiches, snacks, and leftovers for their lunch, they’ll be more likely to eat all of it—and enjoy it! It’s also a great way to help teach them about making healthful choices and balancing nutrition with foods that taste great.
Incorporating these creative back-to-school lunchbox hacks into your morning routine not only simplifies your life and adds joy to your kids’ lunchtime, but it highlights the value of nourishing their growing bodies and minds with wholesome meals.
Want to help your kids prepare for September? Set their school year off on the right foot with positive affirmations and learning through play!