By Organize Your World, Inc.

Ask any parent about making lunches for their children, and chances are they will tell you that they struggle to provide a variety of foods that their children will like and eat. If you are tired of racing around in the morning only to find yourself stuck in the peanut butter and jelly rut, then the following tips for improving your lunch routine may be just what you need.

1. Provide Choices. Talk to your children about their lunches. Find out what nutritious items they would like to see in their lunches. Get creative and provide a large variety of healthy choices and allow them to choose from among them. If you and your children are sick of the same menu, check out the internet for inspiration. For example, instead of sandwich, try wraps made with pitas or tortillas. You can also offer different dips or salad dressings to spice up their veggies. Also, don’t forget about leftovers – you can use a thermos to keep food warm! Packing leftovers in your child’s lunch can save you time and energy, and kids love them.
   
   
2. Shop with Your Children. Once your children have chosen some items, make a list and take them to the grocery store with you. Encourage your children to help pick the items from the shelf and put them in the cart. Children are more likely to eat wholesome foods that they’ve helped to choose and prepare.
   
   
3. Stock Up. Make sure you keep the right foods in stock. Make purchasing nutritious lunch items part of your weekly shopping routine. Keep dried fruits, granola bars and nuts on hand for use when the cupboard is growing bare. Have your children help you to split up foods into individual portions that they can just grab and go. Group the choices into bins sorted by food group. Store these bins where your children can reach them.
   
   
4. Make Lunches the Night Before. Schedules are not usually as hectic in the evenings, so it’s a great time to plan for the next day. Line up your lunch boxes and fill them with wholesome food for the next day. In the morning you’ll be glad you did!
   
   
5. Involve the Whole Family. Children of all ages can help make lunches. Even small children can pick up a few carrots and put them into a lunch container. Older children can make sandwiches, cut fruit, and fill water bottles. They can also take responsibility for rinsing out their containers when they get home from school.

As parents, we are in the driver’s seat when it comes to teaching our children how to eat responsibly. By planning ahead, it allows us to involve our children and teach them about responsible decisions. By implementing some or all of the tips mentioned above, you can avoid the morning rush (and yet another PB&J) and teach your children these important skills that will last them a lifetime.