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Brown Bag Lunch Ideas
Have you visited a school cafeteria lately? Kids only get a few minutes to chow down before heading outside to play. If the child has to go through a crowded lunch-line first, digestion time is sacrificed. The only worry brown-baggers have is being tray-trapped (sitting between two children with purchased lunches). I’ve seen it happen—there is a lot of pointing. But being tray-trapped is a small inconvenience when you realize the benefits of bringing a sack lunch. Brown-baggers get bonus minutes, because they don’t have to wait in the lunch line. Their parents get a frugal alternative to the lunch money drain. Lunches can be specially packed according to the child’s preferences. Brown-bag lunches can be packed with a lot less fat and preservatives than the purchased lunches. Mom or Dad can include a love note of encouragement for the day. Here are some brown-bag solutions that will have the “buyers” wishing they were “bringers.” Crackers, rice cakes, breadsticks, popcorn can be used instead of bread. Yogurt, cheese sticks or cottage cheese makes a great protein and dairy source. Kids love to dip. Offer a container of ranch dressing for veggies or caramel dip for fruit. Kids love bite-size items. Raisins, grapes, trail mix, baby carrots and other peeled and chopped fruits and veggies are just the right size. Get ideas from those store-bought “munchables” that some kids have. Crackers, squares of lunch meat and cheese replicate the items in that box. Also try tortilla chips and cheese. Pack dinner leftovers for lunch. Use a wide-mouth Thermos for hot foods as well as cold. Soup, spaghetti o’s, mac & cheese. This option allows many ideas. Try not to pack too many treats. Offer a bite-size candy bar instead of a full-size one. Whatever you want to put on bread can probably be wrapped in a soft tortilla shell. Kids love this! Remember to keep the cold foods cold and the hot foods hot. Food safety is extremely important!
Get packing!
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