The 5 Best Tips for Meal Prepping Healthy School Lunches

If you have kids, then you’re well aware of the hectic mornings it can take to get everyone ready and out the door on time in the morning. The last thing you want to do after your sleepless night is spend hours upon hours prepping lunches, but healthy school lunches are no small feat. This list of tips will help you meal prep healthy school lunches in less time and with less stress so that you can rest easy at night knowing that your kids are eating well and fueling their bodies for the day ahead. If this sounds like something you could use, keep reading!

I love my kids

1. Get your kids involved in the meal prep process. This will help them understand where their food comes from and how it’s made. Plus, it’s a great way to bond with your kiddos in the kitchen!
2. Plan ahead. Map out what you’re going to make for the week on Sunday so you know exactly what ingredients you need to buy and can avoid last-minute trips to the grocery store.
3. Keep it simple. Don’t try to make too many complicated dishes – focus on meals that are easy to prepare and that your kids will actually eat!
4. Use leftovers wisely. Cook once, eat twice! Double up on recipes and cook enough food for two dinners. Freeze one of the portions to use at a later date (or if you have more mouths to feed). Not only is this cheaper than buying pre-made frozen dinners, but it’s also healthier because you control what goes into your meals.
5. Stay organized. Have separate containers or ziplock bags for each lunch dish and label them so there is no confusion when assembling lunches each morning. Also, be sure to include things like napkins, utensils, and condiments so your child doesn’t have an excuse not to eat!

I need to save time

Meal prepping school lunches ahead of time is a great way to save time and ensure your kids are eating healthy. To get you started, here are five tips:
1) Find out what types of containers work best with the type of food, the shape, and if they need to be microwaved or not.
2) Organize your fridge so that things you will use first (like vegetables) are at eye level, while things that spoil faster (like eggs) are at the back or bottom.
3) Buy produce in bulk when it’s on sale- this will save money in the long run and cut down on waste as well.
4) Label everything! Take pictures if needed so that all members of the family know what is in each container without opening them up first.
5) Schedule one day each week where everyone can pitch in together and cook up a big batch- have some leftovers too! The last thing I want to mention is budgeting- make sure you plan how much you’re willing to spend and stick to it. Meal prepping can get expensive really quickly if you don’t plan ahead or prepare yourself for how much things cost upfront. But once you’ve got these 5 steps under your belt, meal prep becomes second nature. Your sanity will thank you because now instead of running around in circles trying to get breakfast, lunch, and dinner made by 8:00 am every morning before running off to work/school/a million other activities, you’ll only have one thing on your plate: making sure the groceries are stocked! When meal prepping take into account how many people you’ll be feeding.
For example, if there are just two people living in your house then buy half a pack of spaghetti sauce instead of a whole pack. Planning meals ahead also allows us to include ingredients that aren’t easily available or accessible – like fresh herbs – by buying them during their peak season.

Moms have enough responsibilities

You want to make sure they’re getting the nutrients they need to grow, but you also want them to actually eat what you pack. That’s why meal prepping their lunches can be such a challenge. Here are three tips to help you get started
1) Use as many fresh ingredients as possible. When you’re able to buy items like fruits and vegetables in bulk, use them liberally! The more fresh produce and lean protein on hand, the better!
2) Combine a variety of foods in one container. It may seem easier to put everything into individual containers at first glance, but really it will just mean more dishes (and more food waste!). Instead, combine proteins with vegetables or carbs and spread across different containers so there is something different in each lunch box.
3) Let kids help out! If your child is old enough, give him or her a task–such as washing produce–to take some of the pressure off of you when preparing lunches ahead of time.

I don’t know where to start

1) Start with planning. You’ll be more likely to succeed if you have a plan. Figure out what you need to do and when you need to do it.
2) Set aside some time. You’ll need to dedicate some time each week to meal prep. Choose a day and time that works for you, and stick to it.
3) Get organized. This step is key to success! Make sure you have all the supplies you need before you start cooking.
4) Choose healthy recipes. There are endless possibilities when it comes to healthy school lunch recipes. Do some research and find ones that your kids will love.
5) Cook in bulk. When you’re cooking, make enough for several days or even the whole week. In the long run, this will save you time.

Preparing your child’s lunch is part of being a parent

You want to make sure they’re getting the nutrients they need to grow, but you also want them to actually eat what you pack. That’s why meal prepping their lunches can be such a helpful solution. The following five tips will help you get started:
1. Get organized. Make sure you have all the containers, baggies, and other supplies you need before you start cooking. This will save you time and frustration later on.
2. Plan ahead. Decide what you’re going to make ahead of time so that you can easily shop for the ingredients and prep everything in one go.
3. Keep it simple. Don’t try to make an elaborate lunch every day – focus on making something that’s quick and easy but still nutritious. Good options include sandwiches with protein (like boiled eggs), salads with protein (like beans or chickpeas), and healthy soups like lentil soup.
4. Keep your child involved. Involve your child in the process by letting them help select foods, add toppings, or pack their own lunch bags as much as possible to maintain interest in what they’ll be eating for the week.
5. Rotate different types of food so your child doesn’t get bored eating the same thing over and over again! The best way to do this is by having a variety of recipes at your disposal so you never feel like you’re stuck without ideas.