Back to School
Plan Ahead to Ease the Pressure
- Prep meals the night before: Chop fruits and veggies ahead of time, batch cook what you can to save weekday energy.
- Get your child involved: Let them build their own sandwich, choose their snacks, or pack their lunchbox. It encourages independence and curiosity about food.
Easy Turkey Sandwich Skewers
Easy Turkey Sandwich Skewers are a cute take on a classic lunchtime favourite.
Cucumber and Dill Brioche Finger Sandwiches
Our Cucumber and Dill Brioche Finger Sandwiches are perfect for special occasions. A savoury dill cream cheese spread is layered with crisp cucumbers on Dempster’s® Signature Brioche Style Pull-Apart Buns. Make them ahead of time to take the pressure off.
Deli Wrap Keto Sandwich
Eat your tortilla over another tortilla, because if prosciutto, ham, or chicken falls out, BOOM! Another tortilla 🌯🌯
Meatless Black Bean Meatballs
If you're looking to introduce more plant-based dishes into their diet, try this Meatless Black Bean Meatballs recipe. Featuring Dempster’s® 100% Whole Grain Double Flax Bread, black beans and a blend of spices, it makes a hearty and satisfying meal. Also great to keep on hand for Meatless Mondays.
Pizza Sandwich
Toasted slices of Villaggio® Rustico™ Sourdough are rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil to make a delectable pizza-inspired sandwich stuffed with pan-roasted cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and prosciutto.
Build Balanced, Colourful Lunches
What to Include
- Fruits and veggies: Mix it up with raw, cooked, or prepped options, salads, dips, or homemade fruit sauces.
- Whole grains: Choose whole wheat or whole grain bread, brown rice, quinoa, or whole grain pasta to help them feel fuller longer.
- Protein: Go for eggs, legumes, yogurt, cheese, chicken, or fish. Keep deli meats to a max of once or twice a week.
Drinks Matter Too
- Water: Always the top pick, keep a reusable bottle handy.
- Nutritious drinks: Milk, fortified soy beverages, or drinkable yogurt with no added sugar. Juice should be occasional, not routine.
Keep Lunchboxes Light & Efficient
- Smart containers: Invest in a good lunch bag, thermos, reusable ice packs, and small containers for yogurt, dips, or cut-up veggies.
- Food safety first: Keep food chilled or warm as needed and clean out lunchboxes daily.
Make Lunches Fun & Varied
- Get creative: Cut veggies into fun shapes, offer colourful dips, and combine snacks like cheese & fruit or edamame & cucumber.
- Texture and surprise: Alternate cold salads, wraps, mini quiches, and savoury muffins to keep things exciting.
Give Kids a Say
- Ask: “What would you love to eat tomorrow?”
- Let them pick and assemble some parts of their lunch.
- Encourage them to empty and clean their lunch bag at the end of the day, it builds responsibility.
Be Ready for Last-Minute Surprises
- Always have backup options: frozen veggies, boiled eggs, canned tuna, or individually packaged items you can grab on the go.
- Remember, balance isn’t about every lunch being perfect, look at the week as a whole.
With these tips, back-to-school becomes a chance to build healthy routines that are fun, empowering, and doable. You’ll be laying a foundation for your child’s well-being and maybe finding a little extra peace for yourself too 😊.
Happy lunch packing!
This article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and has been reviewed, edited and revised by a human.