If you've struggled to get your kids snacking on healthy foods, here are creative ways to incorporate nutritious snacks into their lunchboxes each day. You'll rest assured that they're biting into something good while they're at school!
1. Start a Lunchbox Idea Swap
Exchange ideas on packing lunches with your fellow parents. It's a great way to find out about — and eventually include — healthy new foods for your child's lunch. Just because he or she may not be accustomed to the food doesn't mean they won't love it at first taste — what worked for another parent may work for your child, too!
2. 5 Nutritious Lunch or Snack Ideas:
Celery, Cream Cheese and Dried Fruit
Here's a healthy fill-up idea to satisfy your child's craving: Slather some cream cheese on celery stalks and sprinkle dried fruits on top. Raisins, cranberries or apricots would all make for delicious, nutritious toppings.
Bite-Size Fruit Salad
Chop up some seasonal tropical fruits, or even traditional pieces of pear, apple, peach or orange, for a sweet-tasting assortment.
Colorful Pasta Salad
Take a large helping of cold rice, couscous or small pastas and mix it with a colorful assortment of fruits and veggies like peppers, red onions, snow peas and cucumbers. The more colorful you get, the more likely your child is to clear his or her plate!
Deli Roll-Ups
A piece of Boston lettuce becomes your child's bread with fresh slices of deli chicken or turkey and a piece of cheese inside. Opt for some sliced avocado or prepared guacamole instead of mayo, and add a tasty red pepper to the middle of the sandwich to complete this mouth-watering lunch.
Yogurt with a Twist
Get out two small plastic bags and fill one with dried or fresh cranberries, blueberries or raspberries. The second bag can have crushed graham crackers, granola or even vanilla and chocolate wafers. Whichever bag your child chooses, it'll make for a tasty blend with vanilla or fruit-flavored yogurt.
3. Last-Minute Lunchbox Tips:
Keep It Cold
A room-temperature meal can put a damper on the surprises you've included in your child's lunch for the day. One effective way to keep a lunch box chilled is to freeze their NESTLÉ® JUICY JUICE® boxes the night before. Place the frozen box in a small plastic bag the next morning and add it to the lunch box to create a fridge-on-the-go!
Wrap It Up
If you love packing your child's lunch each day but are a little short on time, try using dinner leftovers. Before storing your leftovers in the fridge each night, make a few small containers to place in your child's lunch box the next day. The homemade contents will have you feeling good about what your child is eating at school.
Pack With Love
A wonderful dessert idea for lunch boxes is a HARVEST MINI® treat. Remind your kids that you're always thinking about them with this perfect-sized low calorie treat.
Back to top