Back to School with a Bento Box Bonanza: Healthy, Fun Lunches Kids Will Love
It’s that time of year again - backpacks are packed, pencils are sharpened, and lunch boxes… well, they are about to get a serious upgrade! Bento Box is a creative, colorful, and customizable approach to packing lunches your kids will look forward to.
Why Choose a Bento Box?
Bento Boxes are not just trendy, they are practical. Here’s why they work:
1. Eye-catching fun for the eyes, sells like hot fries. Children are more likely to eat food that looks appealing.
2. Customizable to regional tastes, dietary needs, picky preferences.
3. It grows with your kids: whether for a preschooler or a high-schooler.
4. Variety: So many possibilities to keep lunchtime interesting all year long.
Tip: A creative mom says she steps up the enthusiasm by recruiting her child to suggest themes and favorite characters for their sandwich shapes.
The Basics for a Healthy Bento Box
A balanced Bento box hits four key nutritional goals:
1. Food for fuel: Carbohydrates and good fats (think rice, whole grains, avocado).
2. Food for growth: Carbs paired with proteins (beans, eggs, tofu).
3. Food to build: Protein like poultry, fish, or plant-based alternatives.
4. Food for fine tuning: Fruits and vegetables for essential vitamins and minerals
Fitting it all in is a question of packing a wide variety of items from all food groups:
1. One food can only supply a small selection of our needs for normal growth.
2. Add whole grains, different types of meat or fish, dairy products, fruits and vegetables.
Tip: No single food covers all nutritional needs- variety is essential.
Color Their World!
Kids eat with their eyes first! A rainbow of colors not only makes meals more appealing but also ensures nutrient variety:
1. Reds – Strawberries, raspberries, peppers, tomatoes, cranberry sauce
2. Greens – Peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, string beans, pistachios, lettuce and avocado
3. Whites – Cauliflower, bread or rolls, yogurt, rice
4. Yellows – Kabocha squash, banana, pumpkin, peppers.
Bonus: Bright colors more nutrients!
Putting it Together: How to Pack Like a Pro
Follow these simple steps for a lunch that looks great and stays fresh:
1. Start with a main dish first – meat dishes, rice dishes or sandwiches
2. Fill gaps with fruits, veggies and other contained foods around the main dishes to keep them in place
3. Use interesting color combinations and shapes – use cookie cutters to make sandwich fun.
4. Keep the food as dry as you can so it doesn’t get soggy.
5. The food should be chilled before packing.
6. Finally, do not forget to add a treat to round out the meal.
Leftovers Made New Again
Bento boxes are perfect for repurposing leftovers, saving time and reducing food waste:
o Roast chicken - chicken wraps with lettuce and avocado
o Grilled veggies - veggie rice bowl
o Pasta - mini pasta salad with cucumbers and light dressing
o Meatballs - skewers with cheese cubes and cherry tomatoes
o Stir-fry - Bento box with a side of fruit
· Final handy tidbits: The creative mom introduces new foods at home before adding them to a Bento Box.
With a little planning, a Bento Box can turn mealtime into a moment of joy, nourishment, and even pride for your child.
A Week of Bento Box:
Monday: Good Start
· Main: turkey and cheese pinwheels
· Veggies: cucumber slices
· Fruit: apple wedges
· Snack: whole grain crackers
· Treat: chocolate squares
Tuesday: Leftovers do over
· Main: leftover pasta salad with veggies and vinaigrette
· Veggies: carrot sticks and broccoli florets
· Fruit: grapes (cut for safety if younger children)
· Snack: string cheese
· Treat: mini oatmeal cookies
Wednesday: Breakfast All-day
· Main: mini whole grain pancakes with turkey sausage
· Veggies: bell pepper strips
· Fruit: mandarin orange slices
· Snack: trail mix (nuts/seeds if school safe)
· Treat: mini caramel rice cakes
Thursday: Surprise Mix
· Main: chicken and veggie rice bowl
· Veggies: sugar snap peas
· Fruit: banana slices
· Snack: yogurt cup
· Treat: chocolate chips sprinkled on yogurt
Friday: Fun Bento
· Main: mini sandwiches cut into fun shapes
· Veggies: baby carrots
· Fruit: mixed berries
· Snack: popcorn
· Treat: small brownie bites
