My two oldest boys are super excited.

This is the first year they both get to eat in the cafeteria at school.

EVERY. DAY.

Suddenly, the pressure seems immense…

Not only do I have to please their palates…

But of course I feel like I have to pack a lunch that would make all the other kids at the table want to trade for…

But they wouldn’t trade right?

I mean they wouldn’t dare….

So here is some lunch time help for you….

A few lunchbox tips to make the back to school re-entry extra smooth.

1.  Let your kids pick their own fun lunch box for the year.  They’re more likely to eat it if it comes in a fun carrying case.

For the record, Keegan and Brady both picked Star Wars…just like my little brother 20 some odd years ago…

2.  Be sure to stock up on plenty of portable ice packs.  It’s very important to keep your child’s lunch cold.  In my experience, these have a tendency not to make it home, so I buy extra.

3.  Switch it up.  Don’t pack the same ol’ sandwich every day.  Try different breads or roll, maybe a wrap or hotdog or quesadilla.

4.  Provide extra protein with dips like hummus or quacamole along with veggies sticks and crackers for your kids to dip.

5.  Let your children come to the store with you to pick out healthy snacks and sandwich staples.  They’re more likely to eat what they had a hand in picking.

6.  Don’t forget the fruit.  It can act as a dessert and gives kids the fiber and boost to get through the remainder of the day.

7.  Skip the soda!  Pack your kids a frozen water bottle (acts as an ice pack) or low fat milk or low sugar juice box.  Most drinks are just empty calories so it’s best to stick with the H2O!

8.  Use cookie cutters to cut your child’s sandwich into fun shapes.

9.  Don’t forget to pack a note telling them to have a good day.  My mom used to write notes on my napkins and my dad would write “I love peanut” on the front of my lunch bag.  Not the least bit embarrassing!

Thanks to wikipedia for the use of the pictures.