When I was a kid I remember sitting down at the lunch table…

And then the swapping would begin!

I’ll trade you a pudding pack for a fruit roll up?

Let’s be honest…

Many of the things in a school lunch box can leave your kiddos feeling…

Well…

A bit flat…

So here are some quick and easy lunch box makeovers that’ll keep your kids moving!

Bagged Potato Chips

Everyone knows that potato chips are bad for you.  They’re high in calories, fat, sodium and carbs. Yet they are a staple in almost everyone’s lunch box.

Next time try a cup of roasted kale chips.  It’s delicious, crunchy, and good for you, and a fraction of the calories, fat and carbs.  Perfect along side a sandwich.  Not to mention you cut out massive amounts of calories and you can make your own and pack it in re-useable snack packs saving money and the environment!

Fruit Roll Ups

These sugary sweets are lurking in almost every brown bag at the lunch table!  They pack an enormous 100 calorie punch for very little nutritional value.  They contain 4 different variations of sugar and plenty of dangerous food colorings.  Plus they come stuck to those plastic backings that will still be in landfills at the dawn of the next ice age.

Instead try some delicious dried fruit like pineapple and mango.  They offer the same sweet soft taste but don’t have any of the chemicals, and you get the benefit of added fiber!  Pair it with some shelled sunflower seeds and roasted almonds in another re-useable snack pack and your kids will benefit from the added protein punch!

The ol’ PB&J

We all love our peanut butter and jelly, but in today’s schools it may be downright dangerous.  Many schools how outlaws all tree nuts so that pb&j is contraband.

Instead of the old sandwich standby try some soup in a thermos for lunch!  Pack a whole serving of veggies with some minestrone or tomato.  Show them you’re thinking of them with some homemade chicken and whole wheat noodle.  Soups are a fantastic way to get wholesome foods easily into your kids and if you use that thermos everyday, think of all those plastic sandwich bags you’re saving from the landfill!