Tips on packing lunches for picky kids and printable lunch notes

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I wish I could say that I was the mom that made only healthy lunches for my kids. I would show you pictures of fresh salads and edamame snacks…but that is a fantasy. Instead I am the mom that packs lunches that are as healthy as I can manage while still saying in the confines of the food my kids will eat. Packing lunches for picky kids is not easy. So I had to come up with a way to “sneak” in the healthy stuff. Here is a bit of practical advice to do the same for your kids!

I want my kids to eat well. I want my kids to make nutritious choices. But let’s be real–I have no control what makes it into their mouths while in the cafeteria. They choose whether they will eat it or simply be hungry all day.

When sitting in the cafeteria without Mom, kids ultimately choose what they will eat. Share on X

I know from experience that Pea will refuse to eat what I pack her and go hungry by choice. This is difficult to handle as a mother because she is drastically underweight as it is. She will gorge on food she likes and willfully refuse those she doesn’t like.

Tips on packing school lunches the kids will eat

Find the foods satisfy both Mom’s desire for nutritious food and the kids’ tastes.

So I have accepted that my job as their mom (and each family is different) is to pack lunches that are as packed with as many nutrients as possible but that they will actually eat. My priority is making sure they eat.

My children have different nutritional focuses and needs. My son is growing by leaps and bounds and very active.  I emphasize the proteins and calcium rich foods that he needs while also including fiber rich foods that he will eat. He is not fond of vegetables.

My daughter’s food allergies restrict what I can pack for her. She loves starches, fruits, and raw vegetables but it is a struggle for me to make sure she has an adequate protein intake. She will not eat beans, is picky about meat, and is allergic to peanuts. Fun times

Once you nail down where your priority lies, your mom guilt drastically decreases. Share on X

Have a centralized lunch making zone

I also prefer to make lunches as quickly and efficiently as possible. My kids food pantry has evolved over the years. I still use the low cupboard for kids granola bars, cereals, and snack items.  I like to open the boxes and put the individually wrapped food in plastic shoe boxes.  In the morning I just slide out my plastic snack box and grab the snacks I need.

Having a centralized kids lunch area does make it so much easier for me! I just moved a mini fridge that we haven’t been getting any use out of close to my kids cupboard. Now I have everything I need for school lunches in one area.

Sneak in nutrients

It can be difficult sneaking in vitamins and minerals for my son in particular. I sneak them in by finding foods with ingredients moms can feel good about.  I love the new Horizon Squeeze Pouches available at Walmart. Real fruit and organic milk are blended  together in one tasty snack pouch. This little pouch contains 5 grams of protien and is an excellent source of calcium.  It’s perfect for Pork Chop because he is always rushing through his lunch so that he can socialize. It’s an easy squeeze! (Walmart is having demos of the product from 11/5/2015 through 11/8/2015. Click here for a listing of Walmart demos.)

Horizon also has yummy organic Sandwich Crackers that come filled with organic cheese or organic peanut butter. Keep an eye out for the The Peanuts Movie characters on the packaging. I can’t wait for the movie to hit theaters on Nov 6! My favorite character has always been the teacher :).

Let the kids know that the lunches you pack are made with love

When you take the time to find a compromise between what the kids want and the nutritional value Moms want, the entire family benefits.

I pack similar lunches for both of my kids with a few differences.

Luckily for me, my kids do not prefer a variety of different lunches each week. They are perfectly content having the same lunch every day.

Both kids like turkey sandwiches on wheat with no condiments. Both of my kids also love fresh fruit.

Pork Chop likes carrots but doesn’t eat most other vegetables without parental encouragement. (IE without me watching him put it in his mouth…) The Horizon snacks and pouches are a good way for him to get calcium and other vitamins and minerals.

Pea loves vegetables.  She prefers raw green bell peppers, carrots, celery. I always add plenty of green veggies because she is allergic to dairy.  Calcium doesn’t only come from dairy, thank goodness.

With slight adjustments, they each have a lunch that we all are happy about.

Packing lunches can be a pain when you are a busy family so I hope these tips make it easier for you.

They know that I feed them nutrient rich food because I love them. It doesn’t hurt to give them a little reminder with these sweet printable lunch notes! 

Have you seen the Horizon snacks yet? Do you have a picky kid that would love it?

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