Healthy N’ Simple Ideas For Back-to-School Snacks and Lunches: For Those Extra-Busy Days

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Sima Cohen

September 12, 2014

If you are a busy mother, than I am sure that you have those similar mornings, where the kids seem to moving like molasses in January, and you are short on time, and short on patience. After a few years of perfecting my morning routine of waking up my child, making a quick, simple, and nutritious breakfast, and then packing luch for her to take with her before we are heading out the door, I will now share with you some of my best tips that kept me sane for all those rushed mornings of school-lunch-making.

These lunches are based on my STM ( Sima's TRANSFORM Method) food plans, and they specifically contain a wonderful balance of LP+ CC + FF to make sure your children keep their blood sugar stabilized throughout the day. So, prepare to be dazzled by the simplicity of these back to school lunches and snacks. Stay sane, people.

Healthy N' Simple Ideas For Back-to-School Snacks and Lunches: For Those Extra-Busy Days

Tips and tricks:

1. Keep your lunch-making supplies together in one place, in an easy to reach cabinet to make the process more efficient. Keep handy some small and medium sandwich bags, thermoses, plastic spoons and forks, toothpicks, and small plastic storage containers.

2. During the summer and hot weather, add flat dry ice containers in your child’s lunch box.( You can find some at Target, or wherever lunch boxes or camping supplies are sold.)

3. Always use 100% whole wheat bread, whole grain bread, or sprouted breads. So your kids won't get bored, try using different types of bread such as: whole wheat wraps, whole wheat bagels, whole wheat rolls, whole wheat pita pockets, whole wheat English muffins, Eziekel raisin bread, or whole grain challah bread and tortillas. My favorite is Eziekel bread, and whole wheat, or Eziekel tortillas.

4. You want your kids to eat the raw veggies you packed for them? Here's my secret: add a dip. My favorite is hummus,( homemade or store bought) with some crunchy carrots, celery, Persian cucumbers, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes

5. Make an antioxidant filled, home made trail mix, and divide it into small ziplock bags. Mix raw almonds, raw pistachios, raw walnuts, raisins, goji berries and even some vegan chocolate chips or some raw cocoa nibs. Delicious, high in antioxidants, and it only takes 2 minutes to prepare.

6. PB & J sandwich gets a makeover: Try some cashew, almond, or sunflower butter, instead of the PB, and add fresh chopped strawberries on top instead of sugary- loaded store bought jellies.

Here are more ideas for lunches based in my STM:

*Whole wheat Pita bread with low sodium deli turkey slices, light or vegan mayo, lettuce, tomato and fresh avocado.

*quinoa pasta with home made marinera sauce and strips of chicken breast. Add chopped broccoli on top.

* turkey burger on a 100% whole wheat bun, hummus, lettuce, tomato and pickle. Add Pop Chips on the side.

* Brown rice pasta with olive oil, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, choose broccoli, shredded carrots, and Kalamata olives.

BACK TO SCHOOL SNACKS

Snacks should be simple, satisfying, and look good, otherwise your kid won't eat it. Many people have the preconceived, misled idea that snacking in between meals is unhealthy; but the truth is the exact opposite. It's actually important to have a snack between meals– healthy ones, of course– so that their bellies will stay satisfied until their next meal.

Here is a list of excellent snack options to pack in your child's lunchbox:

Lara bars

Kind bars

Cliff bars

Zone bars

Greek yoghurt

Home made trail mix

Rice cakes or mini-rice cakes

Individual containers applesauce

Graham crackers

Chocolate truffles Pita chips or Bagel chips

Banana chips