Healthy Back to School Lunch Ideas

Back to school time can always be a major change for kids. Having to go to bed early, waking up to an alarm clock, and going back to school can take some adjustment. A great way to remind your kids of home is to prepare healthy school lunches with items that they are already used to eating at home. A healthy lunch will then go over well with them.

For the main course, you should make sandwiches that are made with wraps instead of bread. It's a healthier choice. Make sure to cut the wraps in half at a diagonal angle to make it more "fun." Try to use lean meats for your wraps with reduced fat cheese and very little mayonnaise. If you have healthy leftovers from last night's dinner that doesn't require reheating, then feel free to make that the main course. Keep any eye on the portions that you serve.

For a side, start with the basics -- cut up some fresh carrots or their favorite fruit and place them in a snack size storage bag. Pour their favorite dip in your smallest Tupperware container to make the perfect pairing. Think about making the dip from scratch as it will be fresher and healthier. Buy pita bread and cut it into triangular pieces, also pairing it with their favorite dip or dressing.

For drinks, purchase a small drink container to pour their favorite drink into. There's no need to buy sugar-packed drink boxes or sodas. If your kid likes water, then get them small water bottles or a reusable BPA-free water bottle in their favorite color. It's never too early to start teaching your kids about recycling and living greener. Water is always the best choice as it does not have any calories, sugar or fat.

For dessert, place a sugar-free or low-fat cookie in their lunch box. Use homemade cookies for dessert for that extra special touch. Jell-O snack packs are also a great choice.

Getting your kids to eat a healthy lunch all depends on what types of food you're serving at home. Slowly introduce new, healthy foods when your household is making a major switch in dietary plans. Make your meals fun and exciting by using a lot of color and pairing it with things your kids like. Don't forget to personalize your kid's lunches with specially shaped sandwiches, cookies or a with a little note inside.