Food nurtures your child's brain and energizes their body for learning. Some kids could consume half of their daily calories during school lunch, and it's key to make each bite count. Here, we'll explore delicious, nutritious, fun school lunch ideas that can fuel your children every day.

Switch Up Sandwiches

Traditional sandwiches are easy to pack and eat. If your kids grow bored with bread, switch to wraps, pita, sushi, salads, or quesadillas. For additional nutrition, incorporate whole grain choices.

Dig Into Dips

Dips add a dimension of fun to lunches. Salsa, cottage cheese, bean spread, hummus, and yogurt are a few examples of dips your kids might like. Pair these options with vegetables, fruits, crackers, and cheese as you prepare interesting and varied meals.

Create Charcuterie

Your children might prefer snacking to traditional meals. If so, customize school lunches with their favorite snacks. You could insert various veggies, fruits, cheese, crackers, and dips in divided containers to create a balanced meal that's tasty and fun to eat.

Lunch On Leftovers

If your kids liked last night's dinner entree or this morning's breakfast sandwich, add the leftovers to their lunch boxes. As a bonus, serving leftovers can simplify your lunch prep.

Incorporate Balance

A balanced lunch supports brain health, provides energy and soothes hunger. When possible, serve your child at least one item from each of the following categories as you incorporate balance:

• Proteins - meat, poultry, seafood, egg, beans, lentils, peas, nuts, seeds, soy products
• Fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains - bread, oatmeal, brown rice
• Low-fat or plant-based dairy products
• Fats - avocado, nut butter, seeds

Opt for Whole Foods

Whole foods like apple slices include more nutrients than processed foods like applesauce. Whenever possible, pack whole foods and limit processed options.

Ask For Input

Your children might be more excited about their school lunches if they get to choose what they eat. You could ask them to plan a menu by building their own healthy plates. Including them in grocery shopping can also be helpful. They can peel fruits and veggies, assemble salads and pack their lunch boxes.

Cook Together

Invite your kids to help you cook the foods they'll eat for lunch. While learning an essential life skill, they'll be encouraged to try new items and develop a healthy relationship with food.

Add New Foods

New foods can broaden your child's nutritional choices and flavor palate. Whether your kids are adventurous or picky eaters, try to introduce new foods slowly. Offer new foods several times as you encourage your kids to try unfamiliar options in a rainbow of colors. You can also cultivate a family garden and invite your children to try the foods they grow.