Healthy School Breakfast, Lunch & Snack Ideas
by Bren Gonzalez
Who’s ready for their kiddos to have the healthiest school year? When we can pack our kids a healthy lunch, they will feel good and gain the nourishment they need. And while we’re at it, let’s make it colorful, decorative and filled with love! Have you heard of color psychology? The colors yellow, orange and red are used to stimulate our appetite. We can also apply this tool when making our kids’ lunches. Do your kids complain that their sandwich was soggy, their food was cold, or they were tired of having the same snacks every day? I’m here to give you some quick and easy tips to make this year’s lunches portable, healthy and colorful.
For younger children, bento boxes are convenient tools made for single portion meals that include sections for proteins, carbs, and vegetables. I loved using them when my boys were younger. Bento boxes also made it easier and quicker for them to scarf their lunch down while they socialized with friends. I remember volunteering at their school during that time and noting that the kids with bento boxes tended to finish all of their lunch. I think bento boxes are genius!
Now my sons think they’re too old for bento boxes, so I turn to stashed bags and reusable sandwich bags I find with cute colors and designs. I also use thermal containers, glass jars or glass meal prep containers. These are all good, durable ways to pack the hefty protein-heavy lunch my growing boys need.
These are a few meals and snacks that are easy to pack up to send with your kids to school, no matter what age and stage they’re in, as well as some suggestions for brands that are organic and delicious. Enjoy!
Silver dollar breakfast
- Mini pancakes
- Applegate Chicken Maple Sausages
- Organic maple syrup
- Gluten free pretzel sticks
Cut-Out Sandwich Mix
- Llama sandwich made with Dave’s Killer Bread, Applegate Organic Turkey Slices and Horizon Organic Cheese Slices
- Sliced organic carrots with a side of Primal Kitchen Ranch Dressing
- Mixed organic berries on a stick
Green Power Pasta Mix
- Bren’s Homemade Pesto
- Jovial Gluten Free Penne Pasta
- Sliced cucumbers with hummus
Bren’s Homemade Pesto
Add a handful of spinach, ½ cup basil leaves, ½ cup hemp seeds or pine nuts, ⅓ cup olive oil, one garlic clove, and a pinch of sea salt to a food processor and mix well. You can mix your pesto into cooked pasta and send to school in a thermal container or use it for a sandwich or pizza spread.
Snacks for Days
- Organic animal crackers
- Black Forest Organic Gummy Bears
- Sliced celery with almond butter and blueberries
- Coconut yogurt and sliced peaches
- Hummus and mini organic carrot sticks
Bren Gonzalez’s Be Healthy By Bren is a lifestyle brand with a healthy approach to living. She shares and offers a variety of services and products. You can shop most of the items used for this recipe at www.behealthybybren.com.
