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Say Goodbye to Lunch Packing Stress
Imagine a world where you never dread packing lunch again. Life can be chaotic, leaving you short on time or dealing with a picky eater. But fear not; we’ve got solutions for some common lunch packing dilemmas that will save you time and keep your sanity intact. Let’s explore these challenges and discover some creative lunch ideas that will last until the school year wraps up.
Challenge: “I’m too busy to cook.”
Solution: Utilize your freezer.
We understand that the weekdays can be a whirlwind. Dedicate some time over the weekend to prepare meals in bulk and freeze them in single servings. You might be surprised at what you can freeze! Start with sandwiches—yes, sandwiches! Try ham and cheese on Hawaiian rolls or your child’s favorite deli meat. Just keep veggies like lettuce out, as they don’t freeze well, and place condiments between the meat and cheese to avoid soggy bread. The same goes for PB&J: spread nut butter on both slices before adding jelly to prevent mushiness. Store each sandwich in a bag and then place them in a larger freezer bag.
You can also use a muffin tin to create adorable, portioned meals. Think baked pasta, mini frittatas, or even taco cups. If you plan ahead, you can even make extra servings while cooking dinner, like spaghetti nests for lunch. Just remember to take them out of the freezer the night before to thaw in the fridge.
Challenge: “I forgot to pack lunch!”
Solution: Create a snack-style lunch.
Some call it a kid-friendly charcuterie board—a casual, fun way to make lunch without a plan. If you have a bento box or a container with compartments, fill it with a mix of items from your kitchen. According to chef Mia Larson from Happy Family Kitchen, follow the “fridge forage formula”: protein + fruit + veggie + dip + crunchy food + something sweet. This not only simplifies lunch prep but also excites kids with variety. Toss in leftover chicken nuggets or a few baby carrots without overthinking it!
Challenge: “I need lunch for both my kid and myself.”
Solution: Prepare crossover meals.
Pasta salads are a hit with both kids and adults. Start with any pasta shape and mix in different veggies, proteins, and cheeses. You can customize your portion with ingredients your child may not like, such as olives. Chicken stir-fry with mandarin segments is another versatile option. For a great example, check out this recipe from Healthy Family Project.
Think of meals that you can easily adapt. For instance, chicken salad can be packed into a pita pocket for your child and served over a bed of greens for you. Shredded rotisserie chicken can be mixed with barbecue sauce for a fun pulled chicken sandwich for your child while you can enjoy it over a grain bowl.
Challenge: “Cold lunch is unappetizing.”
Solution: Invest in a thermos.
A quality thermos, like the 10 oz. Stainless Steel Jar from Funtainer, can keep meals warm. Preheat the thermos by filling it with hot water and letting it sit for 10 minutes before draining and adding food. Dishes like soups, stews, or mac and cheese are perfect for thermos packing. A fun idea is to prepare DIY nachos by packing taco meat in a thermos with chips in a separate container.
To keep crispy foods like chicken nuggets or grilled cheese sticks from getting soggy, place a paper towel inside to absorb moisture.
Challenge: “My kid’s lunch period is too early.”
Solution: Serve breakfast for lunch.
Bagels with cream cheese, frittatas, or egg muffins can be great options. Hard-boiled eggs paired with crunchy dips or breakfast classics like waffles and pancakes are also good choices. You can freeze homemade waffles for convenience. Get creative by serving waffles with chicken nuggets or cutting pancakes into fun shapes.
Challenge: “The same sandwich gets old.”
Solution: Make small changes.
If your child sticks to the same favorites, consider switching up the bread. Try different types like sourdough, bagels, or even tortillas. Toasting the bread can also change the texture. Deconstructing sandwiches into kebabs is another fun approach.
If veggies are a challenge, include a small portion on the side instead of in the sandwich. Research shows it can take several exposures to a new food before acceptance, so keep offering options without pressure.
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