What’s
in Your
Lunchbox? By MICHELLE BLANCHARD ARDILLO
Take a few minutes to sit down with
your child and talk about school
lunches. Even though you prepare
24 September 2018
washingtonFAMILY.com However, this might not be the easiest
solution for parents with multiple
school-aged children. Customizing
three or four diff erent lunches is not
ideal. So in this case, ask for their
lunch inputs in order to try to establish
a common denominator among them.

Paige Rienzo, a Kensington, MD
author, decorator and mom of four
shared her philosophy on this:
“Making lunches is much easier
when all four of my kids eat the same
thing. They agree on almost nothing
except the main — they all like pasta.

I invested in good thermoses, and I
often boil pasta before school. It’s no
more time-consuming than it is to
make four diff erent sandwiches. If I am
feeling particularly motivated, I will
add cooked peas or diced meats.”
Consider the Lunch
Setting/Time Frame
When new to a school, fi nd out in
advance the lunch sett ing and time
frame. In order to extend academic
time or recess time, some elementary
schools have reduced the amount of
time students have for lunch. If this is
the case, lunches that require assembly
or the opening and closing of multiple
containers may prove to be diffi cult
for younger students. Inquire whether
students are permitt ed to access a
microwave to warm leftovers, pasta
dishes or soup. While convenient,
this may also add to a problem with
timing. usako123/ iStock / Getty Images Plus
Get Your Child’s Input
meals for them every day, ask your
child what they’d like in their lunch
bag. The answer may surprise you.

Negotiations may be needed to reach
a middle ground of something you
can pack that will meet your nutrition
goals, but their input will result in a
more positive response to even the
healthier food choices. This can be
accomplished even with picky eaters if
you spend the time.

Marina Bakush/ iStock / Getty Images Plus
P acking school lunches has
changed quite a bit over the
recent decades. An acceptable
lunch from the ‘70s — a ham and
cheese sandwich on supermarket
white bread, a bag of chips, a soda
and a candy bar — has morphed into a
challenge for today’s parents who want
to give their children a healthy school
lunch that will leave them satisfi ed,
energized and most importantly,
happy. Throw in the goal of using less
paper and plastic disposable products,
and working moms and dads are left
feeling overwhelmed. With just a litt le
time spent brainstorming, shopping
and prepping, today’s parents can
quickly and effi ciently create nutritious
eco-friendly lunches that will be the
envy of the lunch table!