Parents, school is starting, and we've got a day or two to figure out what to pack for our kids' lunches.
This presents lots of choices, including:
- Whole grain or squishy white bread?
- Peanut butter or meat?
- If meat, how do you keep it cold enough so it doesn't grow bacteria?
- If peanut butter, will your child hurt her allergic friends?
- Lunchbox or paper sack?
- If a lunchbox, should it have a cold section and a room temperature section? A built-in water bottle?
- If you put in a cookie or candy, will that create bad food habits forever?
- What kind of fruit doesn't bruise? Since the kids probably don't want the same fruit every day, give us a few suggestions here.
- If you pack a spoon or fork, should it be disposable (bad for the environment) or reusable (the downside is you have to wash it)?
And you thought this was simple? You practically need a degree in food science to do this right!
Parents, scroll down to the comments to give us your suggestions.
Have more fun. Like Niles Patch on Facebook.
Julie Tiu
3:18 pm on Monday, September 5, 2011
We've found our kids tend to eat whole wheat bread better if it isn't too "seedy" or grainy. And, I don't toast it. Only did that once to have my older kid complain that the bread was too dry by lunchtime.
Another idea... in a tupperware/bento box, include rolled up deli meat (low sodium ham - kid favorite), cut up cheese, crackers and cut apples. In a separate bowl before packing up, toss the apples with a little orange juice to keep the apples from browning. Basically you're making your own homemade "Lunchable", but probably less sodium than the store bought brand.
I'm okay with adding a cookie or candy in their lunch once in a while. It's a treat... everything in moderation.