To streamline the process, I've created a few simple guidelines. In every lunch complimentary of Chez Bauer you’ll find a protein
item, at least one produce item (usually a veggie AND a fruit), and a fun snack (anything goes, as long as it’s portion-controlled at about 150
calories). The kids always get a water bottle, and of course I ice down their
lunch bag. (Side note: My kids won’t
carry insulated bags – I’ve been told they are not a cool accessory anymore –
so my method is to cram the brown paper bag inside a larger plastic ziptop bag
along with a few freezer packs. Then, the kids can just remove the brown bag
before lunch and happily blend right in when they hit the cafeteria. It works,
and keeps the peace.) But beyond these basic guidelines, I like to get a bit creative.
Packing for my teenage daughter Jesse is the trickiest.
She’s pretty selective about what she likes and what she’s willing to bring for
lunch. She’s mostly vegetarian, so packing protein items can be a
challenge, but she’s generally okay with a high-protein nutrition bar or a
sandwich with peanut butter. The good news is, she likes most veggies and
fruit, so she happily takes one of each in her bag.
Cole, my 15-year-old son, is super flexible – really,
anything goes. He typically prefers a hearty entrée, like a chicken/turkey
sandwich with lots of spicy mustard...or dinner leftovers in a heated thermos
(dad’s world-famous turkey chili is a favorite). Since he has braces, I pack
easy-to-eat fruit like a banana or grapes—no apples, pears, or peaches allowed.
And he’s a big fan of flavored low-fat Greek yogurt, so I almost always include
a container in his lunch.
My younger daughter, Ayden, doesn’t like sandwiches, but
she's usually okay with dinner leftovers, like whole-grain penne with chicken
and broccoli. If we don’t have anything good in the fridge, I’ll give her a
pouch of edamame (in the pod) for protein. Ayden is pickier than my other kids
when it comes to produce, especially fruit, but she does like baby carrots,
cherry tomatoes, red bell peppers, cukes and green beans, so those make frequent appearances in her bag.
Since parents are always asking about how to pack healthy,
interesting lunches, I thought it would be fun to snap a few pictures of my own kids’ brown bag creations and share what works for us. Maybe you’ll get a few
new ideas for your own gang!
Day 1
Jesse: Nutrition bar (PROTEIN), apple, sugar snap peas, Glenny’s BBQ soy crisps (FUN SNACK with protein--bonus)
Cole: Turkey
sandwich on whole wheat with spicy mustard (PROTEIN), Chobani nonfat strawberry
Greek yogurt, grapes, Glenny’s Ranch soy crisps (FUN SNACK)
Ayden:
Steamed edamame (PROTEIN), baby carrots, Nature Valley Oats ‘n Honey granola
bar (FUN SNACK)
Day 2
Jesse: Toasted whole-grain English muffin with peanut butter (PROTEIN) and all-fruit jam, apple, baby
carrots, 2 small squares Nibmor 72% dark chocolate (FUN SNACK)
Cole: Chicken
salad mashed with guacamole (PROTEIN) and Triscuit crackers, baby carrots, That’s It fruit bar (FUN
SNACK)
Ayden: Chicken-vegetable
stir fry (dinner leftovers—PROTEIN), grapes,
Home Free chocolate chip cookies (FUN SNACK)
Day 3
Jesse: Peanut
butter sandwich on whole wheat (PROTEIN), apple, Clif Kid ZBar (FUN SNACK)
Cole: Turkey sandwich on whole wheat with spicy
mustard (PROTEIN), banana, Fage Total 0% with Cherry Pomegranate Greek yogurt,
pouch of Sunsweet dark chocolate-covered prunes (FUN SNACK)
Ayden: Baked chicken nuggets (PROTEIN), baby carrots, grapes, sour gummy
candies (FUN SNACK...huge Mom mistake, forgot about her braces!)
