On average, a child will take 180 cold lunches to school per year. That means you have to make 180 cold lunches per year, per child.
It’s easy to get in the routine of making the same lunch every single day (grocery shopping is easier that way, right?), but it’s best to mix things up to ensure proper nutrition for your little student. Meal prep during the week things like avocado sandwiches, salad recipes, chicken salad, or other ready-to-eat lunches.
Try to include the foods that your child is sure to like. Make healthier foods the easiest to eat by cutting, dicing, and slicing them up. And don’t forget to make it fun! Banish boredom and amp up health benefits with these cool cold lunch ideas below.
BLT Wraps:
To make a BLT wrap, spread avocado or a thin layer of light dressing on a whole wheat tortilla. Sprinkle shredded lettuce, bacon pieces, and diced tomatoes onto the wrap. Roll it up in wax paper or cling wrap to keep it together. For a list of other kid-approved wrap, recipes check them out here.
Cold Noodle Salad:
Pair your child’s favourite pasta with green beans, peas, broccoli or another steamed vegetable in a plain soy sauce. Add sesame seeds as a source of manganese and calcium, both of which will help your kid’s bones grow healthy and strong.
Hummus Veggie Sandwich:
Take two slices of your kid’s favourite bread and spread hummus liberally over both pieces. Top off one slice with a diced tomato, cheese and shredded lettuce. Or, use pesto sauce on one slice and hummus on the other with the chopped tomato and cheese for a tastier and more colourful sandwich.
Pepperoni Pizza Puffs:
Everyone loves pizza, especially kids. These easy-to-make pepperoni pizza puffs are great as appetizers and would be even better as a kid-friendly lunch.
The best thing about these delicious cheesy treats, you can eat them cold. All you need is a muffin pan, an ice-cream scooper to distribute the dough evenly, and a few items I’m sure you’ll be able to find in your pantry. Check out the full recipe over here.
Peanut Butter Banana Burrito:
Spread peanut butter on a whole wheat tortilla and drizzle honey over the peanut butter. Place an entire banana in the middle and roll it up. Slice the burrito into bite-size pieces and place it in a small container.
Turkey Pita Pockets:
Spread creamy cheese in a pita pocket and stuff with sliced turkey, spinach, and cucumber slices. Change it up with sliced ham and roast beef, or add some extra veggies.
Strawberry Bagel:
Spread cream cheese onto a bagel and place cut-up strawberries on top. Place the two bagel slices back together sandwich-style and cut it down the middle. Sweet and filling!
Pear Sandwich:
Toast whole wheat bread, spread cream cheese on both sides, and drizzle honey atop the cream cheese. Layer thin pear slices on top and cut them in half.
Cinnamon Apples:
Slice a tart apple and toss it in one teaspoon of sugar and 1⁄4 teaspoon of cinnamon. As it sits in the lunch box, it’ll get sweeter and sweeter.
Yogurt Parfait:
Naturally sweet treats like yogurt parfaits are packed with brain boosting nutrients that are great for your child’s whole body. Find nutrients such as protein, fibre, healthy fats and natural sugars that will help your kids stay energized throughout the day at school. Check out a list of yummy parfait recipes here, along with some other school lunch ideas.
The Town of East Gwillimbury is surrounded by some of the best schools in the York Region area. York Region District school boards dedicated faculty and staff, create a positive learning environment built on innovation, engagement and responsibility. Take a look at our neighbourhood map here to get a head start on finding the right school close to your new Queensville home.