6 Ways to Meal Plan for Back To School
Oh boy, does anyone else get a little anxious thinking about meals for school days? Fear not, there are ways to stay sane.
1. Create a lunch prep station
Lunch packing is the bane of many parents' existence during the morning rush, and that’s why it can be easier to pack them the night before.
Create a “Lunch Prep” area in the kitchen to keep things in one place with lunch boxes, Thermoses, baggies or containers, and utensils and napkins.
2. Pre-portion Snacks
When you’ve done your grocery shopping, create grab and go snacks that your kids can take on the go after school or even for their lunch.
By pre-portioning them, you’ll save yourself time. A few ideas we like:
Trail mix
Crackers
Granola bars
Raisins
Pre-cut fruit
Pre-cut veggies
Cheese sticks
Yogurt
Note: some daycares and schools require items from each food group to be included in your child’s lunchbox, and we all know the benefits of a well balanced diet, so make sure you’re prepared with a bit of everything.
3. Create a Bin for After School Snacks
Have you noticed that the moment they walk through the door they’re searching for snacks? Even though their lunch is only half-eaten?
While scientists investigate this phenomenon, we suggest designating a bin or a drawer on a lower level in the fridge so kids can easily reach pre-approved snacks.
Nutrition Tip: To make sure your kids aren’t skipping the good stuff, make them finish what’s left in their lunchbox before they grab something from the cupboard.
4. Start Meal Planning
Juggling finishing the work day and having the kids come home is busy enough that the dreaded “what’s for dinner” can sometimes tip you over.
Creating a menu ahead of time will not only save you time, but it can save you money by avoiding picking up items that may just go to waste.
Want to take it one step further? Some families designate a day to prepare dinners ahead and this can save both time and money.
5. Try reusable storage bags
There are some really great products out there to make meals more environmentally friendly. You can even find different designs so that your kids don’t argue over which bags/snacks are theirs.
Check out our litterless lunch collection for lots of fun, environmentally-friendly options.
6. Create freezer meals for dinner
There are a few ways you can do this: Prep multiple meals at once or prepare bigger dinner
recipes now so you can freeze leftover family-sized portions for another day. Either way, when the day has really gotten away from you, you can pull something out of the freezer rather than reaching for the takeout menu.
As a bonus, there is a lot of seasonal produce that freezes well for the winter months and many preserve their nutritional value.
How else are you getting ready for the back-to-school season?