Lunch Box Tips for a Nut Free School Year

By
Niki Robinson
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0
Sunbutter & Jelly: Humble, dependable, & nut-free. (Make them in batches and freeze to make it even faster and easier!)
 
Anyone can pack a lunch, but most of us don’t get exactly get a thrill from it, except those weird bento box moms on Pinterest. But my kid’s lunch never looks like Pikachu, Mario, or Van Gough’s starry night. I’m guessing yours doesn’t either. But that doesn’t mean you need to surrender yourself to a permanent PBJ rut. No, that there is anything wrong with a good old fashioned peanut butter and jelly sandwich. (Or Sunbutter, for that matter.) This is America, after all. PBJ is one of our greatest contributions to the food world. It’s right up there with s’mores, buffalo wings and buttermilk biscuits. If your kid happily eats the same lunch every day, count your blessings and keep quiet. My little sister at a ketchup sandwich for lunch every day for years and she is now a healthy, adventurous eater in her mid 20’s. A boring lunch will not kill your children. However, with food allergies on the rise, PBJ is not the lunchroom stand by it once was. More and more schools are going nut-free and with good reason. Food allergies are serious business for the kids and families that live with them. Mismanaging them can have deadly consequences. So, if you are panicking at a looming nut-free school year or just looking to shake up your normal routine, look no further. I’m here to help with tips, tricks, and go-to favorites. Expand your lunch box horizon with my nut-free lunch-spiration. (Ok, I’m sorry. Lunch-spiration is a terrible word. I know. But the tips are good, I promise.) 

Tip #1: Buy These Containers

I know you already have containers. But these have changed the game for me. They make almost any three components seem like a respectable mid-day meal. The compartments don’t leak into each other when the top is on, and they aren’t even expensive. Plus, having just one container to keep track of is easier for kids to not lose, and easier for mom or dad to wash rinse and repeat the next day. Seriously, order them now. You’re welcome.  

Homemade Lunchables (Not the quickest lunch to throw together, but one my kids can’t get enough of!)

These silicone cupcake liners are super useful too. You can use them to break the larger compartment up into smaller sections as shown, but they also make great little snack cups at home, and of course, they’re great if you need to whip up a batch of cupcakes or muffins. (Both of which can be great in lunches!)

Tip #2: Pinterest is not your friend

There I said it. I love Pinterest as much as the next mom, probably more. But when it comes to easy weekday lunches, you don’t need that kind of judgment in your life. You need reliable recipes and realistic expectations. Find yourself a few tried and true bloggers who suit your particular lifestyle and start there when you need some fresh ideas. Real Mom Nutrition is my personal favorite because she is a Registered Dietician that is so well rounded and down to earth when it comes to feeding a family. And don’t forget about the cookbook section at your local library. “But my library is faraway/closes early/charges late fees/ is under alien attack.” Fear not my friends, the Oceanstate Library system also has tons of cookbooks available to borrow digitally on your phone or kindle to fuel your brown-bagged dreams.

Ham & Cheese Roll-ups, with Fruit, Hummus, Whole Wheat Pita. Pinterest worthy? No. Healthy, tasty & easy? Yes.

Tip #3: Get Your Kids Involved

You’ll be surprised what your kids will eat when they think it is their idea. We have a few kid-friendly cookbooks on our shelf that I will occasionally peruse with my six-year-old, letting him pick something new to try. Of course, sometimes he picks cookies or banana bread, but sometimes he picks homemade hummus or dragon fruit. He loves this one and calls it ‘the fiber book.’ We also have an out a print Sesame Street book called Elmo’s Silly Snacks that my kids absolutely love. My copy is already spoken for, but if any of you come across it in your thrifting adventures snag it up! 

Breakfast for lunch!: Mini waffle Sunbutter sandwiches with strawberry yogurt & cinnamon apples

And when all else fails:

Tip # 4 Let them buy lunch.

Because your time and sanity are more importnat that an Istagram worthy lunchbox.

So there you have it. Four non-ground breaking but hopefully helpful packed-lunch tips. Now, I need some lunchspiration from you guys. What are your go-to favorite lunch box fillers? (Bonus points if they are nut free!) What #Momhacks do I need to know about in this department? Share your mom wisdom with me in the comments!