When the time comes to go “Back to School” it can be exciting, but may also bring about a little bit of a frenzy. Get all the supplies… Re-adjust back to the schedule… Dot all the “I’s”… etc, etc, etc.
One good thing, at least for healthful eating, is that it is also a great time to set up a system for meal preparation and planning.
There is no shortage of lists focused on food ideas for lunches available online, particularly for children. Common suggestions include leveraging the “bento box” approach, which means leveraging compartments to focus on balance and proportions, or getting creative with the use of vegetables, such as slicing into long thin pieces and using them as a wrap.
These tips can be especially helpful in planning balanced meals, for example, boiled eggs and spinach are nutritional complements. Top them off with some avocado or nuts and the foundational bases are covered.
Another interesting facet is “Back to School” can also be a nice time to think about sustainability.
The more obvious is with regards to the lunch gear.
This market has definitely evolved over the last few years. Options range from stainless steel compartmented boxes, like Eco Lunch Box or Lunch Bots, to plastic-free or even reusable sandwich, snack bags, and food covers, such as Lunchskins or Bee’s Wrap.
A next-level idea is to get involved with addressing sustainability and sourcing in school lunch programs as mentioned in this Food Revolution Network article, 10 Ways School Lunch in America is Improving (Plus Healthy School Lunch Ideas).
Regardless of what priorities you take on, it’s not only a time for kids to get on-track, the whole family can get on board.
Ashley Arnold
Ashley runs a lifestyle health coaching service centered on evidence-based behavioral change and systematized approaches from integrative health services and healthcare. She includes functional health assessment tools that support setting more clear, realistic goals that are tailored to each client. She appreciates the products and mission of Good Fat Company due to the emphasis on whole-food, nutrition-rich products without processed additives or fillers. Also, the product line is applicable across dietary spectrums from vegan to paleo and most anywhere in between. Further information can be found at www.ashleylarnold.com.
References:
Oberst, L. (2018, Aug 31). 10 Ways School Lunch in America is Improving (Plus Healthy School Lunch Ideas). Food Revolution Network. Retrieved from https://foodrevolution.org/blog/healthy-school-lunch-ideas/.
