What's for Lunch? Simple Ideas to Answer the Question of What to Pack for Lunches

It's back-to-school time, and that means homework, catching the school bus and packing lunches. You can get into a lunch rut very quickly, and it helps to have a variety of ideas in your back pocket. Peanut butter and jelly is fine, but that can become a stale lunch idea if you don't have other options. Kids can be picky, so you have to keep it interesting and full of things that they like. If you're able to squeeze in a few things that they don't like without them knowing, then all the better.

Use your leftovers and create a truly unique lunch that your kid will love. Here are some ideas to spice up your leftovers:

Have leftover chicken? Slice up and make a roll up sandwich complete with honey mustard (or regular if you have a picky little one), cheese, lettuce, and tomato. It's simple, easy, and putting the sandwich in lavash or tortilla will make it more fun than regular old bread. You could also dice up chicken and put it on a salad with some of the things that your kid loves including lettuce, cheese, carrots, whatever veggies your child will eat, and then a quick sprinkle of sunflower seeds. Put a bit of ranch on the side and you've got a healthy lunch your child will love!

Want to make a Mexican fiesta for your little one? Pack the ingredients to make them say "ole" in their lunch box! Take a Tupperware container and put in some beef or chicken, shredded cheese, a bit of sour cream, lettuce and tomato, and then wrap up separately 1-2 tortillas. Then they can make their own taco and have something to look forward to for lunch!

Want to create an Italian feast your little one can really bite into? Take last night's leftover meat (chicken is our favorite choice) and quickly sautee with pasta, a bit of marinara, and some veggies. Toss that into a Tupperware container and add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese--you've got a nice little pasta dish that's nutritious and delicious.

No leftovers, but still want to make something yummy. Make a roll up sandwich with turkey, hummus, lettuce, and feta--it's like a salad and a sandwich all in one! It's another unique alternative to sandwiches! Make little meat roll ups with your selected lunch meat wrapped around hummus or cream cheese and a dollop of veggie power such as fresh grated carrot. A make your own pizza can make your little one smile--wrap up a tortilla and then add in a bit of pizza sauce, Mozzarella cheese, and all the toppings.

Make lunchtime something that your child can look forward to, it doesn't have to be hard and can be quite healthy!