It’s time for the tots to go back to school, and for many of us, that means it’s back to packing lunches the night before! As a parent, we want to give our kids the very best, healthiest food to eat, but often they get lunch envy, when they see the sugary, processed foods their friends eat (side note: food marketers really know what they’re doing). And we know the options in most school cafeterias barely pass the parental sniff test in terms of healthiness. The last thing we want is for our kids to toss what we give them and go for something that’s not good for them.
So what’s a parent to do? Don’t worry, In the Kitchen with Shakthi has this all figured out! The key is to create a satisfying, multi-course meal that is both easily put together, but also easy to transport, store, and eat. Check out our guide below.
Now that you’ve got that down, here are a few recipe ideas to ensure your kids eat right more often than not.
Sneaky Greens!
Let’s be real: Many kids don’t really love veggies. That just means we have to go the extra mile and get creative to get them to eat them, especially in school lunches. Some ideas include:
- Zucchini Parmesan Chips (a great substitute for potato chips)
- Cauliflower Fried Rice
- Undercover Veggie Smoothie
Pack in the protein
Parents of student-athletes know how hard it is to get enough protein in their child’s diet in general, and school lunch pose an extra challenge. That’s why we’ve developed two different recipes for no-bake protein bars. They’re naturally sweetened with things like banana, almond butter, and agave nectar (yum!), and not only do they pack a mighty protein punch they’re also super-easy to make and delicious!
Salty & sweet are where it’s at for snacks
There’s no two-ways about it: growing kids need snacks. Unfortunately, candy bars, chips and other unhealthy options tend to prevail because they’re too often easily accessible. So it’s imperative that parents take the initiative to give their kids a few options that will keep them away from junk food.
Ideas include homemade trailmix, mango-date energy bites, and even peanut butter and banana mini rice cakes. You can obtain the irresistible salty-sweet-crunchy snack trifecta by combining chocolate chips and dried fruit with crunchy things like nuts and seeds.
For these and other great recipes check out our Eat. Heal. Be Well. page.
Looking for more personalized tips for eating clean? Schedule a visit with one of our nutritionists or join us for one of our cooking classes. They love to share their favorite recipes!
Looking for ideas for healthier eating? Schedule a visit with one our complementary medicine specialists and we’ll develop a personalized plan to ensure you get as much nutrition out of every bite as you can!