Learning to Love Lunchtime for National School Lunch Week

It’s a month into the school year and if you’re like the rest of us, you are probably running out of ideas about what to pack your kids for lunch. This is about the time when most of us lose the motivation to construct cute bento boxes and settle for something quick and easy. However, convenience does not have to be synonymous with non-nutritious. The week of October 10^th to the 14^th is known as National School Lunch Week (NSLW) and is used to promote the importance of a healthy lunch.

Each year the School Nutrition Association chooses a theme for the week, NSLW 2022: Peace, Love & School Lunch. This theme was chosen as lunchtime should be a time of staying cool, calm, and collected despite the anxiety that comes with a new school year. Lunchtime can be stressful, especially when you’re younger, that is why it is important to keep mealtime as relaxing as possible.

This year lunchtime will not only be about food that nourishes your body, no matter what form it comes in but also about creating a mindful and relaxing eating environment.

Quick, Easy, and Nourishing Lunch

At the end of a long stressful day, the last thing you want to do is think about your kids’ lunch for the next day. While you can always rely on school lunch programs to provide nourishing foods, there are also quick lunches that you can throw together with little effort. Here are some great ideas to get you started:

Egg Salad Sandwich: Use whole-wheat bread as your base and top with eggs, mayonnaise, lettuce, and onions. Throw an orange in the bag as a palate cleanser and you have a well-balanced and easy lunch.

Pasta Salad: Make your leftovers from dinner and tomorrows lunch. Coat pasta in pesto and toss with chopped-up vegetables, such as tomatoes and peppers, mozzarella balls, and sliced-up deli meat.

Quesadilla: Another great way to incorporate leftovers from dinner. Use the protein you have left over from dinner such as chicken, and put on a tortilla with cheese, onions, and peppers.

Hummus: You may think of this meal as an appetizer, however with the right dipping agents it can be a great lunch. Scoop out some hummus and provide your kiddy with carrots, celery, and pita bread. This lunch is packed with plant-based protein and is delicious.

Banana Toast: Spread a layer of peanut butter on a piece of whole wheat toast and top with slices of banana. The fiber and protein will keep your child energized throughout the rest of the afternoon.

Mindful Lunch

A lunchroom can be hectic at any age, which is why teaching your child how to be mindful, especially around chaos, is important. Children learn from examples, so in the home, it is important to model healthy eating behaviors. Here are some useful tips you can use to create a mindful eating environment that your child emulate:

Put the phone down: Some schools don’t allow phones or other devices; however, your child may be able to use them at lunch. Make sure to put away your phone during mealtime at home to show your child that the focus should be on the food, not the phone.

Sit down to eat: Try to have all your meals as a family at a table. Sitting down in a designated eating space makes you more likely to focus on the food in front of you. This will teach your child that mealtime is about the food, not whatever else is going on around them.

Take your time: Do not rush through the meal. Take it slow to ensure that you are enjoying every bite. Put your fork down between bites and allow yourself a few moments to reflect on how the food is making you feel.

Take a breath: Mealtime can be chaotic, if you are feeling overwhelmed, pause, and take a few breaths. Allow yourself a moment to relax and recompose yourself before resuming the meal.

Practice mindful eating throughout October and for the rest of the year!

Your Turn to Action: What is your go-to lunch when you’re in a rush? Let me know in the comments below.