There are many concerns that plague parents as they prepare for the start of the school year, and perhaps one of the biggest is what to pack for lunch?  Whether a novice or seasoned veteran in this area, lunchbox ideas are always welcome and here are few that we’ve rounded up for you.

Think Inside the Bento Box

Still trending are bento boxes which are available in different sizes, shapes and colors from any number of retailers. These containers with individualized compartments allow for a variety of healthy and portioned foods to be tucked inside. For example, a bento lunch can be made up of 1 cup of pasta salad with veggies, 1 cup of baby greens with dressing, ¾ cup of cubed fruit and a small treat such as 2 fig cookies.

Play with Your Food

Sometimes its ok to play with your food like cutting sandwiches or fruits and vegetables into shapes.  Or consider a theme lunch for example a fish-shaped tuna fish sandwich with a ¼ cup serving of whole-grain fish crackers.  Producing this type of lunch daily may not be ideal but it’s great as a treat from time-to-time.

Brunch it Up

Why not consider packing some of your child’s favourite breakfast foods for lunch.  Fill that bento box with a sliced hard-boiled egg, mini waffles, mixed fruit and a mini muffin.

Finger Foods

Finger foods are perfect lunch box foods especially for little fingers.  Try packing items that are bite-sized and easy-to-eat such as cheese strings and multi-grain crackers, 1 cup of small vegetables such as broccoli florets and 2 tablespoons of yogurt dip, hummus or salad dressing, ½ cup of berries and a slice of banana bread.

Think Global

Try incorporating some global flavors into your child’s lunch, for example a boxed fiesta.  Pack up a corn and black bean salad, multigrain tortilla chips and salsa, cubes of low-fat cheddar and diced melon.

Think Outside the Bun

When it comes to sandwiches think outside the bun using alternatives such as whole grain tortillas, flatbreads and pitas which can be rolled, topped or stuffed just as easily as a dinner roll.  Or consider going a totally non-traditional route and creating a lunch kebab using deli-meat, cheese cubes and vegetables such as cherry tomatoes.

Show Leftovers Some Love

If your child loved last night’s dinner, warm it up the next morning and pack it into a thermos and show it some more love at lunch.  And, that thermos will go a long way in helping to take the chill out of winter when its filled with warm and hearty soups and stews.

These are a few suggestions to get you started and we’ll be sure to keep sharing ideas and recipes throughout the school year. Bon Appetite!