5 Different Ways to Make the Same Lunch For Your Child

Do you have a child who wants the SAME thing every day for lunch? My oldest child, B., was like that a couple of years ago. Monday through Thursday, he only wanted peanut butter and jelly. Fridays, I let him buy pizza at school.. But it was really annoying..

Here’s how NOT to lose your mind:

1. Look on the bright side: They’re going to actually eat the lunch you make (instead of picking at it or throwing it away).. If your picky eater agrees to eat the lunch you make, but only if it’s the same thing everyday – agree. You’ll know they are getting their protein and grains. You can mix it up with other snacks and different types of breads.. etc.. They should agree to eat fruit and a vegetable (make that non-negotiable)..But if they really fight you on the vegetable, send them in with smoothies (with spinach or kale inside, berries will hide the green color), a juice with vegetables inside (like V Fusion or Fruitables), cut up baby carrots.. If that won’t work, try a fruit like strawberies, which offers vitamin C and folic acid.

2. Get them involved. Pick different kinds of breads, nut butters and fruit spreads. Teach them how to make their own sandwich (even if you use plastic knives so they won’t hurt themselves). Choose healthy nut or nut free butters (if your child is allergic or in a nut-free school). Let them wash the blueberries to add to their lunch or pick out healthy snacks at the store. Make zucchini bread together on the weekend to use for a healthier snack for lunches during the school week.

3. Use Healthy Brands. Some of our faves are Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter and Teddy’s Peanut Butter. I look for nut butters without too many ingredients added, and no high fructose corn syrup or palm oil. With Fruit Spreads, I choose a versions without high fructose corn syrups or added sugar (it’s sweet enough). Polaner All Fruit Spread is a fave. Remember to read ingredients.. don’t just take a company’s word that their product is All Natural. We try to buy as many organic products as possible, but you still need to read labels and make sure you trust the organic certifying body.

Check out our slideshow for FIVE different ways to make PB & J (click on the picture to get to the next one).
I used the Sistema Lunch Cube for the lunches.