“Quick and Easy”
The #1 request of Busy Moms when it comes to Back To School Lunch Box Meal Ideas.
Unfortunately, many of the “quick and easy” options found in the grocery stores today have nothing good to offer – just colorful packages made up of refined carbohydrates, too much sodium and loads of sugar and high fructose corn syrup – filling our children’s bodies with Empty Calories and unhealthy ingredients.
As a Fit Yummy Mummy I am more than Happy to help spread the word along with my son Tyler – to help busy moms and kids see that quick and easy CAN be Healthy and FUN – saving your child from harmful, empty calorie foods and saving YOU money!!!
A Healthy Lunch Box Has….
1. Protein
2. Produce
3. Fiber
and yes, WATER to drink.
If I ever sound like I am repeating myself when it comes to healthy eating strategies for you or your children….that’s because I am! The same principles apply to every single meal/snack you and your children eat.
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it is easy to fall prey to the convenience foods that are promoted to us and our children – lunchables, 100 calorie snack, juice boxes, cartoon themed phony fruit chews, etc. Have you ever counted up how many grams of Sugar is in your child’s lunch?
Let’s be honest
- how much time does it really take to slice an apple, throw some veggies in a baggie or layer some good quality protein in a whole grain sandwich or tortilla?
As busy moms we are always in search of Short Cuts… well this is ONE short cut that sure, may save YOU a few minutes of time and effort, but have you considered what it will cost your children in the long run?
Start this new school season with a NEW tradition – one based around Healthy Choices.
And I know I will get hit with the…..”healthy food is boring” or “my kids won’t eat this”. Stop with the excuses and make the necessary adjustments so your children WILL be on board for positive changes. THEY need YOUR guidance and direction.
They are learning from YOU. Set the example, teach your children, invite them to create and design their meals, make healthy lifestyle changes together.
Congratulations Moms!
Of the 67 comments left, 5 Moms were randomly chosen and are listed below. Are you one of the winners?
Just send me an email so I can deliver your Bonus Lunch Box Makeover to you!
Holly@FitYummyMummy.com
1. Elizabeth
“My oldest little boy will be going into second grade just like you Tyler! I have a 1.5 and 3 year old at home as well. I think we do well for breakfast with cereal, oatmeal, fruit and/or smoothies. Lunches are our issue.”
2. Ashleigh
I have three sons my oldest is going into Kindergarden in Sept. He always wants a mayo sandwich and cucumber slices for lunch. I want to know what’s a fun way to do his lunches so he’ll eat something else with more variety.
3. Kim
“Tyler, I hope you enjoyed your first day of school. My son, Brandon goes to kindergarten in a few weeks and he really wants me to fix him his lunch to take to school. Any ideas would be helpful.”
4. Alison
“last year for lunch, my 7 year old ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every day! I told her that is not going to happen in 2nd grade, but I am at a loss about what to pack in her lunch.”
5. Lusanda
“I need lunch box meal ideas for my kids’ lunchbox (2.5 and 5 years), everyday it’s a slice of bread with peanut butter, apple, banana and yoghurt. My son now hates yoghurt because he eats it everyday. I really need some exciting ideas.”
Please stay tuned for ALL next week will be dedicated to
Busy Mom Back To School Success Tips!
Video Tips, Checklists and “How To” strategies from a Mom who KNOWS ; )
Covering everything from how to prepare for and manage busy mornings to healthy lunch box ideas with my co-star Tyler Matthew!
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This is adorable–thanks, Tyler and Holly. Did you mention popcorn? that’s a great whole grain lunch or snack option, too (also makes a great appetizer for a party!).
Oh, Holly, you & Tyler are d-a-r-r-ling! You make my day & I’m not even a Mom! Your ideas are helping me, though, b/c I’ve decided I need to pack my lunch even tho I stay @ home. Knowing what I’m going to eat relieves the stress of overeating or eating a non-healthy choice b/c I’m STARVING! hugs to both of you!
Thanks Tyler and Holly! I LOVE the GI JOE lunch box. Carter just got a new pokemon one and is very excited. Being Carter’s first year bringing lunch this has been so helpful. He loves apples and applesauce so I will put one of those in there. And he loves tortellini with tomatoe sauce so I will try that. Can’t wait for the snack and dinner videos. And you have such BIG muscles Tyler from eating so healthy!!
Great video, thank you! Do you have any suggestions on portion sizes for a seven year old? He doesn’t eat much, but he needs to at only 40lbs! I try to get him to focus on eating rather than talking (which he LOVES to do) at lunch time, but I’m wondering how much I should generally expect him to be able to eat.
How does such a cute little boy get smarter than a mom? LOL! Thank you, Tyler, again….for sharing your lunch box ideas with us! Those all sound like really yummy, really fun lunches for the girls. You know, I have three girls in school. Two are in elementary (3rd and 4th), and one in middle school 6th) Their lunches are costing me $1.50ea a day ($22.50wk). I worry all the time that they are not eating properly at school. I would much rather invest that money into healthy lunches packed at home!
Hey Elizabeth -
As far as How Much your child should be eating – that would be something to ask your pediatrician…I can however tell you how much Tyler eats – he is 7 and weighs about 48 pounds.
His lunches run on average 350+ calories.
If we look at his favorite Turkey and Cheese sandwich – the whole grain bread is 100 calories, muenster cheese 100, 50-75 cal of lunch meat, and a fruit – 50-75 cal.
Thanks for the idea Aviva – we eat popcorn sparingly – more of a fun treat at the movies (yes with butter). If Tyler has a choice, he would pick a fruit over popcorn – not a huge fan.
Thanks for the ideas. It’s tough here where peanut butter and nuts aren’t allowed at any schools.
I wanted to say Thank You for helping us make a change not only in my life as a parent but more importantly my children. I showed my daughter who is 8 the video on Breakfast explaning to her that it’s time for us to make a change in the way we eat. Everyday she will eat cereal or waffles for B-fast and i really felt that i was doing a good job as a Mom. I promised myself that I will make a better effort to give my children the foods that are good for there growth. It is really time for us to take control of what we feed our children… So again thanks for taking the time out to give us great Tips!!!!!!
Thank you Tyler and Holly!!! What great ideas! I have the pickiest eater – he would eat pizza every day but no veggies or fruit. He enjoyed watching you two for the breakfast video & I can’t wait to show him this one. Maybe he will be willing to try some of these for his lunches this year at school. Also thank you Holly for pointing out what is in packaged foods. I usually read labels but had neglected to read HFCS in yogurt, yikes! Will be looking for better choices the next grocery run. I appreciate all you do!!
I just love you 2!!!!!! THANKS for this, Holly & Tyler! Reminded me of some things I’ve forgotten about for Cal for his lunches this year. GREAT TIPS!
SMOOCHES to you!
xo Ginger
I live in Toronto, Ontario and we cannot pack any sort of nut in our kids lunches due to allergies. I’m always shocked when i see U.S sites that are able to recommend almond butter or a natural peanut butter in their kids lunches. It makes it so difficult to make lunches without having this choice. I do pack a lot of hot lunches for my son in his thermos. Organic mac and cheese, kamut or rice pasta with a homemade marinara sauce. Chicken meatballs that i throw some grated veggies into the raw meat.
Thanks for the other suggestions. They really are helpful.
Cari
Cari…..
Responses like these confuse me – for its not like this is the only option I suggest.
Everyone’s needs are unique – I do my best to offer a variety of options. I just do not get why readers only focus on what they cannot use – instead of seeing what they CAN use?
Hey Holly great video. What do you think about the turkey in the plastic containers? My kids don’t eat meat but I was checking out the ingredients at a friends house and it is loaded with tons of junk. I notice you shop at whole foods and when I do buy lunch meat (for my husband) I get it there. The ingredients at whole foods in the meat tend to only have the meat.
I love to see other kids eating healthy and you are doing a great job and Tyler seems to love the good stuff!
Awww, I love you guys! Thank you so much for this video. It is going to be incredibly helpful when the kids start school on Monday.
Thank you Holly for sharing this information. What our kids eat for lunch affects their learning at school for the rest of the day. Being in an education setting you can see who is eating right by the way they act after lunch. The kids who have had lots of sugar and prepackaged meals their ears turn a little pink and they have even greater difficulty concentrating in the afternoon. Also if you have a kid who has ADD this is a double whammy! Very important information for moms. I love all the great ideas.
Holly, Zion says he wants to come to your house. See a trend happening here? hehe
Tyler, Zion likes the lunch options you have and he could see a lot of good things that even he could eat. He says we eat healthy stuff too! And both Zion and Alexander think your lunch bag is cool.
Thanks for breaking it down into simple steps for us moms, Holly. No need to stress when you make it look so easy
.