Back to School Lunch Tips and Capri Sun
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It is hard to believe it is already back to school time, which means time for school lunch! This can be challenging for different kids who like different things. However, Capri Sun is one item my kids all can agree on. Today, I have some back-to-school lunch tips and Capri Sun fun for you. We are going beyond the usual peanut butter and jelly.
Many of you know that I have a daughter with Turner’s Syndrome, which also includes an Autism Spectrum disorder. Kids on the spectrum can be extremely picky when it comes to lunch. When my daughter was younger, she would only drink the Capri Sun Original “with the guy on the mountain bike with smoke coming out of it,” is what she would say.
This is the Mountain Cooler flavor. My daughter loved it, and I feel good about giving it to her because Capri Sun has no artificial flavors, colors/dyes, or preservatives.
And guess what? The new clear bottom pouch makes it even easier for moms and dads to see that Capri Sun contains no artificial ingredients.
I love the variety of choices that Capri Sun offers
We finally got my daughter to branch out and try some of the other varieties. I love getting my picky eater to drink Capri Sun Super V Fruit and Vegetable Juice Drink. It is 1 combined full serving of fruit and veggie* and is a good source of antioxidant vitamins A, C, & E! It is a great way for me to sneak in that extra serving.
They even have Capri Sun 100% Juice, which is all-natural, and the Capri Sun Roarin’ Waters fruit-flavored water beverage. There is plenty of variety and flavors to appease your picky eater.
Well, I want you to all get started off on the right foot with school lunch as the kids head back to school. So, I have put together a list of tips to help get you going and not get stuck in the lunch rut. No one wants to get stuck in the same old same old!
Here are my Back to School Lunch Tips
Pick a lunch box
Take the kids to the store and let them pick their own lunch box. It can be so much more exciting to bring lunch from home if the kids love the way they get to take their lunch to school. There are so many fun lunchboxes out there. Mom or dad need to make sure the choice is functional for what your child likes to bring and is easy to care for.
Involve the kids
Have the kids plan, make, and/or shop for the lunch items. They don’t have to be involved in every aspect, but if they are involved with some part of packing lunches, they are more likely to eat it.
Think outside the bread
Don’t just rely on regular old sandwich bread for that trusty sandwich. Get creative and swap out the sandwich bread. Make wraps by using flour tortillas. Other options include pita bread, mini bagels, slider rolls, mini croissants, or even hot dog buns. Hot dog buns are perfect for making mini sub sandwiches!
Develop a rotating menu – once you find items your kids enjoy, develop a 2-4 week rotating menu. It makes it easier to get the shopping done once you have a set plan. Then, every few months, you can always change it up. Here is a sample of a 1-week of school lunch ideas.
- 1/2 pita filled with shredded mozzarella, pepperoni, and pizza sauce
- Easy chicken salad on a mini croissant
- Homemade snack – deli meat, crackers, and cheese
- Ham and Swiss cheese sliders on rolls
- Mini turkey and cheddar cheese sub on hot dog buns
Buy in Bulk
Instead of buying individually packed lunch items, buy in bulk and package the items yourself. Use snack-sized zipper bags to package items such as pretzels, trail mix, grape tomatoes, baby carrots, crackers, mini muffins, berries, chips, etc.
You can use small plastic containers with lids for items such as canned fruit, applesauce, yogurt, cottage cheese, nut butters, hummus, pudding, etc. Use a square sandwich container to make homemade snacks with squares of cheese, meat, and crackers. This is not only great for lunches but also great for after-school snacks too!
Pack a well-rounded lunch
When packing and planning, include starch, protein, fruit, veggies, snacks, and drinks. Kids are more likely to eat veggies with dips so consider those too.
Use lunch to connect with your kids
Pack notes in your kiddos lunch. It can be handwritten or there are many free printables you can find online. It doesn’t have to be every day, but the occasional surprise note from mom wishing them well on the next big test can help build your relationship.
Keep it on ice
Include some way of keeping the lunch chilled in the lunch box, such as purchasing a small ice pack, freezing a Capri Sun, or making your own ice pack.
*Each Pouch provides 1/2 cup of fruit and vegetable juice, which is one combined serving of fruits and vegetables according to U. S. Dietary Guidelines (3/4 from fruit juice and 1/4 from vegetable juice). Be sure to make most of your fruits and vegetables whole fruits and vegetables.