Some days, I LOVE making lunches. And some days, it can just feel tiring. Luckily, I have the winning combination of Little Spoon and some handy tricks up my sleeve when I need a boost of inspiration. Little Spoon takes the pressure off of me about healthy choices because their entire menu is made with junk-free, nutritious ingredients. I don’t have to worry about sacrificing the foods my kiddos love with ones that prioritize veggies and protein because Little Spoon does it all for me. I mean, Mac and Cheese with Invisible Butternut Squash and Carrots? Yes, please!
When in doubt, follow a lunch-box friendly formula
This combination drastically reduces the brainpower required for packing lunches.
The formula is: 2 fruits and/or veggies + 1 protein and fat combo + 2-3 “extras”
Let’s break this down:
- I usually send one fruit and one veggie, but sometimes I switch it up and send two fruits or two veggies. Like I said, the combinations are endless!
- Keeping Little Spoon Smoothies on hand makes packing more than one lunchbox at a time foolproof. They are packed with the vitamins and minerals my kiddos need to nail their times tables… or coloring homework for the little one.
- Here comes the meat of this equation—literally. Examples of protein and fat combos I have on rotation are always covered by Little Spoon Plates. Some of the favorites in our house include the Mini Pancake Puffs, the Spinach and Cheese Ravioli, and the Chicken Potstickers. However, you can also meet the protein and fat mark by packing beef jerky sticks, sunflower butter and jelly sandwiches, or whole milk greek yogurt cups.
- What’s the best part about extras? They can be anything you want! It can be a pain to pack cookies or crackers into ziplock bags in the morning, especially when you’re in a rush. We love the Little Spoon Snacks because there are plenty of healthy, single-serve options that perfectly top off any lunchtime meal. For inspiration, the Confetti Cake Dipsters and the Apple Pie Oat Bakes are always requested.
Include your kids in the packing.
Ok, ok…at first this may not feel like a time-saving hack—because it’s really not. It actually makes lunch packing a longer process the first time you invite the tiny toddlers to join you. However, think of it as an investment—as you include your child in the packing of their lunches, they will slowly learn how to build a balanced lunch by themselves! Take it slow the first few times you all tackle the packing of one lunchbox… to protect your own sanity. Start by asking your kiddo which Little Spoon meal they would like to bring for lunch tomorrow. For the older kiddos, ask them if they want to try something new for lunch, and let them find a recipe! A great place to look for inspiration is our roundup of bento-box friendly lunch recipes.
Happy lunch packing!
Dr. Taylor Arnold
