As a mom of five young boys, I’ve always been a proponent of school lunches. It seemed like a convenient way to ensure they were eating something nutritious during the school day. But as they got older, I started to notice a pattern. They were only eating a portion of their school lunch and then going back for seconds of the same items. It was a frustrating and wasteful cycle, and I knew something had to change. But what?
The Cost and Nutritional Dilemma
Not only was this wasteful, but it was also expensive. Paying for school lunches for four kids in elementary school adds up quickly. More importantly, I was concerned about the nutritional value of the meals they were getting. While the school offered a variety of options, the boys themselves were able to pick and choose, and eat, what they wanted from their plates. So, it was difficult to ensure they were eating a well-balanced meal.
Plus, they were always coming home hangry, which meant they were more likely to think back on their day as “eh, it was ok”, instead of focusing on the good and fun parts. And they were more likely to bicker and argue the whole ride home. yes it’s only 5 minutes, but man it’s a loooooong 5 minutes when no one is happy!
Packing Our Own Lunch: The Equipment
After doing some research, I decided to make the switch to packing their lunches. I knew it would take some time and effort, but I was determined to provide them with healthier, more satisfying meals. The first step was to invest in the right equipment. I purchased a lunch box, bento box, and food thermos with a spoon for each of my boys so we could really switch up the food I sent to school. We all know how much kids just loooove having sandwiches every day… I knew we’d never survive if we didn’t get creative!
I landed on this lunch box (Amazon Link) because it was nice a roomy, had a clickable handle so they could attach it to their bag instead of trying to stuff in there, and also because it came in various colors and patterns so they could personalize what they wanted.
Then, I knew we had to have bento boxes. The boys absolutely love a good “snack plate” and not just for snack. They will ask for snack plates for breakfast and lunch too. It’s like a make your own Lunchable and they love it. I didn’t go for the kid variety, the boys eat way more than that, so I got these neat bento boxes (Amazon Link) that included a salad dressing container and cute divider cups.
The last purchase was the thermos. I knew the boys wouldn’t really be bringing soup or drinks, so I wanted one that was good for things like pasta and rice and beans. So, I opted for a big 16oz Funtainer with spoon (Amazon Link). Granted it’s probably a bit overboard but these too came in all the fun colors and the boys were super excited to pick their own.
Packing Our Own Lunch: The Food
When it comes to packing lunches, variety is key. I make sure to include a mix of protein, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables. Some of my favorite lunch items include:
- Protein: Beef jerky, cheese sticks, Greek yogurt, Vienna sausages
- Carbohydrates: Whole-grain bread, crackers, rice, pasta
- Fruits: Apples, bananas, grapes, berries
- Vegetables: Carrots, celery, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and of course they’ll only eat it if the ranch comes along for the ride!
- Other: Trail mix, nuts, seeds, granola bars
For their thermos, I often pack things like rice and beans, pasta, or even chicken nuggets! It’s a great way to keep warm meals warm and they feel like they’re getting a home cooked meal.
Packing Our Own Lunch: The Process
Now, packing 4 lunches a day might seem overwhelming… but it’s not that bad. When I think of it as a process, I find ways to make it easier on me while making sure they are fed and happy. One thing I’ve learned is that it’s important to involve the kids in the process. Let them help choose the foods they want to pack. This can make them more excited about their lunches and less likely to complain.
But I’ve also learned that we can’t cater to “wants”. So, while I only pack things I know each of the boys like, they don’t get to pick preferences. If today’s fruit is grapes, you’re getting grapes even if you really want strawberries. If we had pasta for dinner on Monday night, I made a little extra so to fill their thermos on Wednesday. These small little ideas keep it simple and repeatable which has been a life saver!
The Results
Packing lunches for five kids is no easy feat. There have been days when things haven’t gone as planned.
Some days, the kids have complained about the food. While they absolutely love Ramen noodles, turns out they get big and smooshy when left in water until lunch, who knew!? Other days, they’ve forgotten their lunch boxes altogether, so I make sure to always keep a balance on their lunch accounts. But through trial and error, we’ve found what works best for our family.
But, since we started packing our own lunches, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my boys’ eating habits. They are eating more, they are eating healthier, and they are much happier. They no longer come home hungry, and they have more energy throughout the day. And best of all, they love that they get to help pick what they eat and they leave the house happy with their lunch boxes.
So, for us, while packing lunches may seem like a lot of work, the benefits have already far outweighed the costs. It’s a small investment of my time that has had a big impact on the boys’ health and well-being.