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Now that kids and teachers
are heading back to school, it’s time to think about preparing lunches again. Sure,
it would be so much easier for them to eat school lunch, but it’s hard to make
sure they’re eating their fruits and vegetables with the limited choices
schools can provide. Many easily packable convenience foods contain a lot of
sugar and unhealthy ingredients. If you are facing back-to-school lunch menu
planning, check out these 7 berry healthy back-to-school lunch ideas.
1. Fresh or Frozen Berries
Fresh or frozen berries
are always a good choice to round off a balanced lunch and most kids love them.
Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries are delicious on their
own and make easy finger food for kids of any age. Berries are full of
vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, so when you pack berries, you are giving
them a sweet treat that is a powerhouse for their bodies and minds. The bento
box and lunch box options on the market today make it easy to pack separate
items and keep them fresh, and frozen fruit cups will stay cool until
lunchtime.
2. Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt with fresh or frozen berries or a swirl of berry preserves is another delicious lunch option your
children might love. Greek yogurt is high in protein, A and B vitamins,
calcium, and other nutrients. With the pop of color and flavor berries provide,
not to mention how healthy they are, your children will love them. A lunch box
with a built-in ice pack will keep the yogurt cold and delicious until lunch
time.
3. Muffins
If your child has a hard
time focusing on eating an elaborate lunch at school, packing healthy
berry-filled or hidden-vegetable muffins along with some proteins such as deli
turkey or cheese might be one way to encourage your child to eat healthy. Baking
up a batch at the beginning of the week is a super easy way to have a delicious
and healthy treat your children will love. Remember that you can substitute Superberries Frozen Aronia Berries for blueberries in almost any recipe.
4. Salads
For a heartier meal, pack
a salad with mixed greens, a protein such as shredded chicken, a hard-boiled
egg, or some cooked/canned chickpeas, cheese such as a nice feta or blue cheese
crumbles, walnuts, dried fruits, and, of course, berries. Blueberries,
strawberries, and grapes pair surprisingly well with the salty flavors of your
proteins and cheeses. Don’t forget to have a berry vinaigrette on the side.
5. Leftovers
If packing a separate
lunch for each family member feels like a lot of extra effort (because, let’s
be honest, sometimes it really is), try to make it a habit to cook extra for
dinner and pack delicious leftovers for the main item. Almost anything can be
turned into a healthy sandwich or salad. Roast chicken for dinner becomes
shredded chicken that can be eaten with cheese and crackers or a simple chicken
salad. Quesadillas pack well with a side of salsa for dipping. Involving your
children in the planning of dinner so they can have lunches they like the next
day can be fun and teach them responsibility.
6. Dried Berries and Fruits
Dried berries and fruits are a must-have item for the pantry, and they can save you time. They are easy
to pack and don’t require refrigeration to be delicious. Choosing the no-sugar-added varieties will help ease your mind about what your kids are eating
without sacrificing flavor. Some dried fruits also mix well in a vegetable
salad, chicken salad, or into a homemade trail mix.
7. Fruit Chews
Make sure to have
Superberries Aronia Berry Gummy Chews on hand for packed lunches for kids and
adults of all ages. They are so delicious that your kids will want to eat them
like candy, and they are so full of vitamins and antioxidants that you can feel
good about packing them in your children’s lunches every day.
Packing lunch for your
children, your partner, or yourself doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming.
Keeping a few staples on hand such as berries, chopped veggies, salad
dressings, and dips will ensure that you can put together a simple, delicious
lunch that your family will want to eat, and you will feel good knowing that
you are focused on keeping them healthy.
