Tips for Packing School Lunch

Bento boxes make packing a healthy lunch fun, using compartments to include a variety of foods. Use these tips to pack a school lunch your child will love.
• Let kids help pick their food. Set some parameters but let them make the choices. If they pack it, they
are more likely to eat it.
• Think in terms of varying yet complementary flavors, colors and textures. Do you have an array of
colors? Do you have something crunchy, crisp, smooth? What would taste good together?
• Bento boxes are an ideal way to use leftovers. Save a spoonful of rice, pasta or salad from dinner and
tuck it in the box.
• Keep portion sizes small. It’s not uncommon for kids to throw out a lot of their packed lunches.

Instead of Lunch Box, Think Bento Box
Bento box info provided by the Tweens Nutrition and Fitness Coalition. http://tweenslex.org/

Combo Ideas
“Gone Fishing” tuna, goldfish crackers, carrots, yogurt & grapes.

“Lotsa Pasta” leftover pasta, tomato sauce, grated cheese, chopped veggies &  chopped chicken

“Yogurt Parfait” vanilla yogurt, frozen berries, granola, dried fruit & sunflower seeds

“Play with your Food”  dollop of almond, peanut or sunbutter, apple slices, celery, graham crackers & raisins

Sweets Optional