The Complete Guide to Packing Healthy School Lunches

It’s that time of year again! We know how hectic back-to-school season can be. The days are getting shorter. Your schedule is forced to change completely. You suddenly have to find time to make quick breakfasts before dropping the kids off. At night you have to balance extra curricular activities with homework and cooking a nutritious dinner for your family. When on earth are you going to have time to pack healthy real food lunches for your child 5 days per week!? Here at Perfect Supplements, we feel your pain, so please enjoy our complete guide to packing healthy school lunches! The end of this post includes links to 100’s of healthy lunch box ideas.

Pack the Protein

There are plenty of sources of real food protein that are perfect for little lunches. When it comes to protein, it’s important to think outside of the box, or more so, outside of the sandwich. Left over cooked chicken, beef, or pork cut into bite sized pieces is a great option. Hard boiled eggs are another simple, bite sized, source of protein. Sliced cheeses and assorted sprouted nuts and seeds (if your child’s school allows nuts) are another great option for little fingers and little mouths.

pepper300Add Plenty of Veggies

Farm fresh veggies are an easy way to amplify the nutrient content of your child’s lunch. They can be served raw or cooked and served cold. As far as raw veggies go, snap peas, carrots, cucumbers, and mixed greens are excellent options. Sautéed potatoes and asparagus taste great even cold the next day! You could also toss in some cooked sweet potatoes. It also a good idea to add some fresh fruit such as strawberries, blueberries, or whatever is in season.

nuts250Don’t Forget the Healthy Fats

Your child’s brain needs healthy fats to stay focused. Good sources of healthy fats include smoked salmon or (if you’re kids are adventurous) roe, sprouted nuts, seeds, and nutbutters, homemade sauces & dressings made with coconut oil or grass-fed butter, and of course, avocados!

Build a Better Sandwich

Sandwiches don’t have to be bad for you! There are plenty of ways to create a real food sandwich that your kid will love. The first step is choosing or baking healthy bread. There are plenty of sprouted grain, gluten-free, and paleo sandwich bread recipes scattered throughout the Pinterest world. If you aren’t into baking, there are plenty of healthy sandwich breads you can purchase from health food stores. Ezekiel sprouted grain bread is a favorite amongst real foodies and kids alike. When choosing lunch meats and cheeses, simply choose either local or organic to avoid processed ingredients and toxins. Applegate Organics has a wonderful line of lunch meats that are real food approved.

schoollunchsocial350School Lunch Recipe Roundup

100 Days of Real Food – School Lunches
Primal Bliss Nutrition – A Month of Real Food School Lunches
Live Simply – Healthy Real Food Lunch Ideas for Real Kids
Real Fit Real Food Mom – 20 Real Food Lunch Ideas for Kids
Nourished Kitchen – 10 Simple Healthy School Lunch Ideas
Mama and Baby Love – Real Food Lunch & Snack Ideas
Health, Home, & Happiness – 10 Real Food Lunches for a Kindergartener
Primal Kitchen – 200 Lunch Box Ideas


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