Packing lunches is one of those seemingly simple tasks, that can easily become daunting when you are short on time and/or have picky kids. Packing a nutritious and filling lunch that your kids will actually enjoy can be a challenge! Can we get an “Amen!” Most moms don’t have time to worry about how many grams of protein and what type of carbohydrates are in their kids’ lunchboxes, but we’re here to help with some nutritionist-approved easy combinations that you can throw together and feel good about. We turned to Cara Clark from Cara Clark Nutrition for her kids lunchbox ideas – she’s a mom of 4, so she knows what she’s talking about! According to Cara, “Lunch should include a protein, a fat, a complex carb (like a bar), a simple carb (fruit), a veggie and a snack.” Here, she shares 3 of her favorite healthy lunch box ideas!
3 Healthy Kids Lunchbox Ideas
Snack: 1 small apple, 1 hard-boiled egg, 10 whole-grain crackers
Lunch: Crackers left from snack, 1 string cheese, 5 baby carrots, 1/4 cup grapes, Clif Z Bar
Snack: Applesauce pouch, 2 slices of turkey rolled
Lunch: Hummus or guacamole packet, 1 oz. organic tortilla chips, 3 raw mini peppers, 6 cucumber slices, 1 homemade cookie
Snack: 4 oz. cottage cheese, 1 oz. kettle cooked potato chips (no more than 3 ingredients), 2 mini peppers
Lunch: 1 oz. whole grain crackers, 2 tablespoons nut butter spread, 8 snap peas, 3 cauliflower florets, 3 strawberries, 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds mixed with dark chocolate chips
Photos via Bless This Mess