Next is the Quality. I know I buy certified organic foods. I don't know what the selection is like at the school, is it conventional, canned, high fructose corn syrup, GMO? I would not know and they do not disclose that information.
The amounts. My children are not on any diet beside natural good live foods and they actually eat a lot. They eat twice as much as I do, but it is all high fiber low calorie foods. Fruits and vegetables are really low in calories so you can eat as much as you want and stay in a healthy weight. Some of the lunch meals at the school I have counted to be between 2000-3000 calories in one meal. YIKES, that is a lot of calories for the beefy nacho meal.
I can go on, but I wanted to briefly explain why packing our lunches is so important to us. The obstacle with packed lunches is variety. How many ways can you make a sandwich? Quite a few but it is a challenge. That is what every parent faces when making lunches keeping it fresh and kid friendly. This is a challenge even for me. We have been packing lunches for 5 years and I still get stuck in the traditional lunch ideas.
I have four kids lunches I pack, and my husbands. Each child eats a little differently and I adjust their meals to them. On the left my oldest daughter does not like to eat a full sandwich but likes lots of lettuce with her turkey. On the right my daughter loves blueberries and I throw in a few for some extra antioxidants. Kirsten does not like blueberries and I have to sneak them into her juices and shakes. The pretzels and chocolate cookie are from Newmans Own Organics. They have delicious organic snacks that I like to add to the kids lunches, occasionally. 
My daughter is starting school this year and I am looking forward to packing her lunch! I agree that you need to know what they are in taking in order to balance everything out! Great post!
ReplyDeleteMaking lunch can be so much fun. Just remember to balance them and to keep some fresh ideas.
DeleteThese look like some awesome lunches. I try to buy a lot of organic stuff too and pack my hubby's lunch.
ReplyDeleteThanks Patty! I do enjoy trying to make them as exciting for the kids as possible with good choices.
DeleteI think it's always much more healthier than school lunchs. Kudos to you for doing that with 4 kids and a husband. I'm sure you stay busy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary :-) I love packing them because it gives me confidence that they have what they need. I just need to keep it fresh. Be sure to share any ideas you have. :-)
DeleteThese look great! I remember being in school and being jealous of kids who brought their own lunch haha! I'm astounded that the schools do not have to disclose where they get food and what they are feeding kids...
ReplyDeleteI know I wished I had packed my lunch more as a kid too. I don't think the school hide the information, just that as a mom, who stops by every day to ask where did the food come from. I have asked and they say that the item manufactures change and they don't necessarily keep track. It was like pulling teeth to get the info and that is because someone else organizes it, and the prepare it.
DeleteI do the same Kelley. It can be difficult. We definitely get into ruts that are hard to get out of.
ReplyDeleteBTW - I think I bought the exact same lunches bags! We are loving them. That ice pack stays cold ALL DAY LONG - they are still half frozen when the kids get home.
I love these boxes!!! We got the pink, purple, and blue. The cold packs do stay cold even when they come home. I feel better about food not getting hot and spoiling now. Thanks for stopping by Kristina!
DeleteThe lunches look yummy. I need to get a box like that for my son.
ReplyDeleteI need to send lunches more often. I have eaten with my son at school a few times and I can't believe what they feed them sometimes!
ReplyDelete