I have to admit that packing a lunch box for Camila every single day has been more challenging than I imagined. She just started school back in September, but it seems like I’m still getting the hang of it all and the snack and lunch box are my biggest challenge. When she was in preschool I had a lot more options because I could serve her warm meals and the teachers could heat it up for her. Now, she barely gets to finish her almuerzo with the ridiculous 15 minutes they get to eat!
I want her lunch to be packed with nutrition, flavor, variety and plain old fun. I know, I survived on the same ‘ole sandwich way back when, but times are different and I want my girl to crave what’s in her lunch box more than whatever’s being served in the school’s cafeteria.
So, I’ve gotten really good at finding products she’ll love and that are good for her, like the 8oz bottles of Cuties Juices and Smoothies found at Walmart that are 100% juice, no sugar added and made with the good-for-you, great flavor from Cuties tangerines! Since there are 10 flavors to choose from, it’s pretty much guaranteed she won’t get bored!
Aside from making sure she gets a good nutrition and protein boost with her juice, I also just started using a bento-style box like the one pictured above. Today I made for her a wrap with low fat cream cheese, shredded carrot and turkey ham. I cut it up like sushi pieces and placed some fun fork picks to spice it up for her. In another compartment I put some steamed broccoli and in the other strawberries and blueberries. I also put in the crunch with some honey wheat pretzel sticks. I’m so happy with all the colors, textures, flavors and the Cutie Juice!
Share: How do you pack nutrition into your child’s lunch?
Disclosure: As a participant in the Walmart Moms Program, I’ve received product samples and compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ana, this is so creative! Very cute! My oldest is only 3, so I haven’t had to encounter this challenge yet! I am not looking forward to it, but your ideas make it more encouraging to know it’s possible to create something fun and simple! So, far, I’ve been fortunate enough to have my parents watch my boys and my mom always hooks it up with sopita de fideo or other yummy stuff, so I haven’t had the task of preparing their lunches throughout the week. Thanks for the ideas…
I was were you’re at when she went to a family daycare. They would make her the yummiest homemade food and I never had to worry about what she ate!
I’ve really found lunchboxes to be more challenging than I thought, so had to get creative. Glad you like it!!
Super cute! Love the Cutie’s juice and the fork picks. I need to get more creative with my kid’s lunch box. Thanks for the inspiration!
Glad you liked it! We love those fork picks and are going to get more. We find them here in Little Tokyo, but I’m sure they can be found online. Getting creative with colors, shapes and such has made a huge difference in how my girl is eating! So awesome to have that lunchbox come back empty
Oh, and there’s lots of inspiration for bento lunches on Pinterest.
I at times find packing the lunch and snack challenging especially when you have a picky eater. However, I think I am finding a balance with smart snacks and lunches. Our school promotes healthy snacks, so we have a list of things that should not be in a child’s lunch box. This is motivating because when I go to the grocery store I look for things not on the list (sometimes limiting).
In the end, Laura leaves with some of her favorite fruit (grapes, strawberries, uchuva, or applies), if dinner is something she likes she tell me “mami, quiero llevar al school!” and that is lunch. Snack varies from popcorn, pretzels, cheese/peanut butter & crackers, wafers, goldfish, granola bars, trail mix and animal crackers.
Renee, seems like we have the same thought and issues with lunch. Lunches at our school have gotten a LOT better, so I let her grab from there some days per week.
Thanks for sharing your tips!
Love this website!
http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/09/04/school-lunch-roundup-ii/