Better Back-to-School Lunchbox
Better Back-to-School Lunchbox


Back to school can be a busy time of year. If your kiddos will be packing their lunches for school, the Weis Dietitians have a variety of creative ideas to get you started. Kids can even get involved in the preparation and packing!

Benefits
Besides being fun, healthy lunches are beneficial to our bodies! Consuming a lunch packed with nutritious foods from a variety of food groups can contribute to:

  • Energy to power through the school day
  • Growth and development
  • Overall wellness and illness prevention


Simple Ideas
Packing a delicious and nutritious lunch doesn’t have to be difficult. Follow this simple equation: Whole Grain + Protein + Fruit + Vegetable + Optional Treat and you’ll find the possibilities are endless! Plus, you can customize the lunch to fit your child’s tastes and allergies.

Some tips to remember:

  • Choose whole grain wraps, bread, tortillas, rice, pasta and snacks.
  • Go beyond meat and include plant-based protein options like nut butters (if allowed), seed butters, beans, soy and more.
  • Enjoy fruits/vegetables in any form, including fresh, canned, dried and 100% juice.
  • Small, portion-controlled treats like fruit snacks, small candy bars and others are welcome in moderation.
  • Pack hand-sanitizer or wipes to keep hands and surfaces free of germs.

Check out these tasty ideas to build-a-better-lunch this school year:

  • Wraps (sweet or savory)
  • Pasta Salad
  • Yogurt Parfait
  • No-Bake Energy Bites
  • Kabobs (fruit, veggies or lunch meat)
  • Dips (sweet or savory)
  • Muffins
  • Make Your Own Trail Mix
  • English Muffin/Bagel Pizzas
  • Grain Bowl
  • Ants on a Log Reinvented
  • Cut washed celery into sticks and fill with the ingredients/toppings below.
    • Berries on a Branch (vanilla Greek yogurt, blueberries, sliced almonds)
    • Beans on a Stalk (guacamole, black beans)
    • Fish in a Stream (hummus, goldfish crackers)

  • Bento Box Compartment Lunch
    • Whole Grain + Protein + Fruit + Vegetable + Treat (optional)
    • Examples
      • Popcorn + Hummus + Roasted Chickpeas + Celery + Pineapple


For more tips and recipe ideas, check out these articles and recipes from Weis HealthyBites Magazine or email weisdietitians@weismarkets.com

July-August 2020
http://healthybites.weismarkets.com/20Jul/Page-20

July-August 2019
http://healthybites.weismarkets.com/19Jul/Page-22

July-August 2018
http://healthybites.weismarkets.com/18Jul/Page-18

Little Italy Pasta Salad
https://www.weismarkets.com/recipes/little-italy-pasta-salad/24756

No-Bake Energy Bites
https://www.weismarkets.com/recipes/no-bake-energy-bites/14599

Turkey-Hummus Veggie Pinwheels
https://www.weismarkets.com/recipes/turkey-hummus-veggie-pinwheels/14518