Back-to-School Lunches: Say Goodbye to Brown Bag Boredom

As the school year begins, many parents are once again facing the daily task of packing lunches. While it’s easy to fall back on the same old sandwich and chips routine, variety and creativity can go a long way in keeping kids excited about eating their meals. A balanced, appealing lunch helps fuel focus, growth, and energy throughout the school day. This can prevent those carefully packed meals from coming home untouched.

Here are a few simple strategies to make lunchtime more fun and nutritious:

• Get kids involved. Let children help plan and pack their lunches. When they have a say in what goes in the lunchbox, they’re more likely to eat it.
• Think outside the sandwich. Try wraps, whole-grain pitas, pasta salads, or even breakfast-for-lunch (like yogurt parfaits or hard-boiled eggs with fruit).
• Make it colorful. A rainbow of fruits and vegetables not only looks appealing but also provides a variety of vitamins and minerals.
• Add a theme. Celebrate special days. Pack an all-yellow lunch for the first day of fall or include a surprise note for encouragement.
• Invest in fun containers. Bento-style boxes make it easy to pack a variety of small items, which is especially helpful for picky eaters.

And because nothing sparks excitement like food that feels a little special, here’s a fun recipe you can try:

Mini Veggie Pizza Pockets

A handheld lunch that’s both fun and nourishing!

Ingredients (makes 4 pockets):

• 2 whole-wheat tortillas
• ¼ cup pizza sauce
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup chopped vegetables
• (such as bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms)
• Optional: sliced turkey pepperoni or chicken

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Cut tortillas in half. On one half, spread a thin layer of pizza sauce.
• Sprinkle with cheese and veggies (and protein, if using).
• Fold tortilla in half to form a pocket and press edges gently.
• Place on a baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes, until cheese is melted, and tortilla is lightly crisp.
• Let cool slightly, then wrap in foil for the lunchbox.
• Serve with apple slices or carrot sticks for a balanced, kid-friendly meal.

Enjoy!