This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HorizonLunch #CollectiveBias
I don’t always love packing three lunches – it can be time-consuming and difficult to keep everyone happy in a house full of picky eaters. But, what I do love, is knowing that my kids take a “good-for-them” lunch to school each day. I like to keep it simple and fun while encouraging good food choices.
Good Choices
What my kids eat to fuel their day is so important to me. I want to make sure they are eating well so they can focus and be happy! I usually keep things consistent with the same “lunch formula.” A ‘main dish’ like a sandwich or hot lunch, one fruit, one veggie and a snack. I will typically let them choose between 2-3 fruits, 2-3 veggies, a drink, and then I plan the ‘main entree’ and snack.
Horizon® products help make those choices easier. The single serve milk boxes usually make an appearance in the lunch boxes! With 8g of protein per box, these are an excellent source of calcium that my kids love! There is no yucky stuff, like high fructose corn syrup. The chocolate is flavored with organic cocoa and the vanilla flavored with organic vanilla extract. These milk boxes are perfect in the lunch box but also on-the-go to keep up with my kids’ busy lifestyles.
For a yummy snack, I also love packing Horizon® Super Squeeze Fruit Pouches. Made with real fruit and organic milk, every serving brings 5 g. of protein and an excellent source of calcium. Plus, they’re fun for the kids to eat. As with the milk boxes, they are perfect for the lunch box or I throw a few in my bag for that after-school activity. I was able to find these items at Walmart while stocking up on some other lunch-time necessities!
Keeping it Fun
Once you feel good about the choices, keep it fun. One way I like to do that is to take an ordinary lunch item, like a sandwich and make it into something fun like ‘sandwich sushi rolls.’ My kids don’t really like sushi yet. They have tried it but they’re more interested in the chopsticks and the unique shapes of the sushi rolls. What’s nice about using a sandwich to make these fun rolls is you can do it with lunch meats, cheeses or nut butters. It makes something ordinary into something fun – and kids love that.
You can see how I prepare them (and the complete lunch) here!
Another way to keep it fun is with notes from home. I have two non-readers who eat lunch at preschool. Still, they love getting notes from mommy! I keep it simple with stickers, smiley faces and hearts. They understand when they get their note – without needing to read. I can write a bit more for my six year old!
I pack everything together in a fun lunchbox, like this Peanuts Movie themed one! It’s perfect because my kids are SO excited for the Peanuts Movie to come to theaters on November 6th! My son saw the preview at another movie and has been asking non-stop if it is out yet! He is so excited! You can learn more and view the Peanuts Movie trailer HERE.
Horizon products are PERFECT for those extra activities outside of school as well – you’re so right! I love the sushi idea 🙂 #client