1. Make lunches the night before. Mornings tend to be rushed for everyone. Have lunches in the fridge with your children’s names on the bags, or in their lunch boxes, so they can grab them and go. The same goes for backpacks and sports bags. Make sure they are loaded the night before with all return homework, sports equipment for practice, signed papers, and all books. Put them in front of the door. This will put an end to morning chaos.

2. When you go shopping and get bulk items or snack items, sit down and pack them in zip-loc bags or reusable containers for the whole week. For example, cut up all the fresh veggies and make variety packs. Stick them in a container and they are ready to go. Do the same with chips, crackers, cookies, etc. Another fun healthy snack you can pack up ahead is trail mix. Have your kids pick out the things they like and help make up the mix themselves. Make it a Sunday night routine and making lunches will be a breeze.

3. Think food groups. Together with your kids, make a chart with four columns and the headings: Sandwiches, Fruits/Veggies, Snacks, and Desserts. Have children fill in each column with items of their own choosing. Each day, pack one item form each group. Remind them that the food they will be eating, they chose themselves.

4. Have younger children cut meats and cheeses with cookie cutters into fun shapes. Make little cracker sandwiches with them. The perfect finger food. You can also use bigger cookie cutters to cut out sandwiches.

5. This non-food lunch idea is my kid’s favorite! Periodically, put a note of encouragement in their lunch. If you know they have a test, are going through a rough time, or just to say I love you! Other fun non-food items could be a holiday pencil, a coupon for an ice cream cone, a $5 gift card, or a surprise note saying they get to have a friend over for a play-date or overnighter (that you have secretly pre-arranged). It doesn’t matter how old your child is, they will LOVE this!

6. If you have friends who love to make lunches, pick their brains for ideas. Try planning time once a week to make lunches together. Make some casseroles or soups and freeze them in microwaveable dishes to heat up at school, for a nice hot lunch. Throw in some healthy bread and fruit, and you have a perfect meal.

7. Don’t forget water bottles. I bought all of my kids, sturdy water bottles in their favorite colors, that they take to school every day. Juice boxes get expensive and many are full of sugar. The rule of thumb is to drink half of our body weight in ounces of water each day! So if you weigh 150 lbs. you should be drinking at least 75 oz. of water. If you play sports you should be drinking an extra 16 oz. for each hour of activity. When we get dehydrated we get tired and we don’t think as clearly.

8. Don’t let your family skip breakfast. If you don’t have time to sit down for breakfast, grab a protein bar or fill a thermos with milk and add a protein breakfast powder. Make some fruit smoothie or orange juice popsicles. Experiment with healthy breakfast cookies or have a bowl of hard boiled eggs ready to grab. Breakfast kick starts your metabolism and will help your kids concentrate at school.

9. If your kids have after school activities pack them an extra snack to sustain their energy until dinner time. Try peanuts and raisins or cheese and apple slices. Here’s a yummy snack recipe that is full of protein and a treat the kids will love!

Great Protein Snack

Peanut Butter Power Balls

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