We were always the kids in school who got cafeteria breakfasts and lunches because it was FREE! I think that is the exact moment in my life when I became obsessed with packaged foods LOL I’m not kidding, I love cafeteria food, airplane food, gas station food… maybe I just love food. That could be it too.
But I’d always envied the kids whose parents packed them a Lunchable, with a juice box, and a treat. Well baby is all grown up and thank goodness as an adult I can just relive all those moments and make them MY WAY! You want chocolate for lunch?! No problem!
Packing an adult version of the Lunchables is super easy- you basically deconstruct a sandwich 😉 Throw in some nuts + a treat and you’re ready to go!
So the deal is, I really try to have a lean protein, complex carb, and healthy fat at every meal. Emphasis on ‘try’. Sometimes it doesn’t happen and I’m eating a protein bar or a a bento box from Starbies. I know the ‘lean protein, complex blah blah blah‘ is all I talk about, but it’s true! It’s how I help ensure I’m getting in all my nutrients AND helps me be flexible for when I want pizza or a dessert. Or both.
Some ideas for quick and easy back to school lunches for yourself, your kiddo, or your college student is:
- deconstructed sandwich + veggies + almond butter bar + assorted nuts
- pb&j + fruit + chocolate (this is from Trader Joe’s and one entire bar is 100 cals) – not that I’m counting, but if you were, there you have it <3
- tuna salad + corn & black bean medley + leafy green friends
- almond butter + rice cakes + fruit
- yakisoba noodles + veggies + peanuts on top or sunflower seeds (only thing not pictured. we actually at them for lunch and Joe didn’t know it was for this post *face palm)
If you or your kiddo is a picky eater, swap out the boring fruit they won’t eat for blueberries or strawberries. Corrine would eat those without fail while she avoided her green beans. She also really loved fried rice instead of yakisoba noodles so try that too! Mac and cheese and hotdogs were a staple in my daughter’s child hood (and still are lets be real) because as long as she was eating I didn’t care what it was. She was EATING … hallelu!
Are you ready for back to school season to begin? Next week I’ll share my back to school easy outfits!
– because running. You’re given 3 minutes to run from class to class, across campus, backpack flinging, phone flying . . you’ll thank me!
– because teeth and face check!
– because teachers, and when you’re done taking your test or you’re running through the halls, just zen out to some Enya . . or whatever the cool kids are listening to these days!
– because don’t be THAT kid asking for pencils AND a sharpener all the time.
– because organization. And you’ll thank me when you take this madness into your adult life.
– because organization. Without a plan you have all of this stuff, but what are you going to do with it?! Exactly. Planner.
– because teachers. They can totally see when your eyes are closed, so may I suggest that you get a full nights rest. At night. At home.
– because note taking. And highlighting things like, “what is pi?!”. You’ll get it when you’re sitting at a diner ordering pie.
– because stains on your pocket protector are a no no. Also it doubles as a makeup case for things like gum and deodorant. Because mid-day BO is also a no no.
– because don’t be THAT kid, asking for paper and pencils all the time.
– because tests. Your school years are all about note taking and test taking. Trust me and just know that you have to memorize things before they fly away from your mindspace.
– because binding. Putting all of those notes and papers together will require staples. So don’t forget those either. Mkayyy!
