Ways to Sneak Healthier Foods into School Lunches
I fully admit to sneaking healthier food choices into my family, without them knowing.
In fact, years went by before anyone in my family discovered that I added spinach leaves into each and every salad, when their preference was the leaves with less nutritional value.
Thing is, we have to get a little sneaky sometimes. When the kids prefer and beg for nothing but snacks – my option is to negotiate, bribe and sway the results. It’s simply part of the parenting game.
We’re gearing up for back to school lunch making, and already I’m dusting off my mad-ninja skills. I’m ready with these Ways to Sneak Healthier Foods into School Lunches:
- Sending muffins or breads? Try a zucchini loaf, full of veggies!
- Swap white flour breads and crackers with brown or lightly grained varieties.
- Hide veggies into those sauces and soups that you send in an insulated container
- Huge pieces of fruit and veggies might seem a lot to the littles, so cut them up to mask how much there is, thus making them snack friendly
- Watch for hidden salts in meats and opt for leaner meats
One snack item which my girls recently fell in love with are the new Rice Krispies Squares Brown Rice Bars. They have no artificial flavours and contain 8 g of whole grain per serving.
Rice Krispies Squares make a great snack and treat at any time, so they are also a perfect addition to school lunches {because kids all want that special something in their lunch boxes}. Combined with items from all other food groups, it’s the cherry on top that will make their school day.
Yet the part that really makes me giggle is that my kids didn’t even notice the ‘Brown Rice’ lettering on the package. Nor did they notice a change in taste as compared to the classic flavour that they’ve enjoyed for years. They are the same ooey gooey taste kids know and love, but with the goodness of Brown Rice.
I literally had to hide the ones we have in the pantry so I could eat them, so they’d still be there to put into the school lunch boxes!
In parenting, it’s the small victories – finding the balance between what they want and what we want for them. Right now this ninja mama has a little help from Snap, Crackle, and Pop!
I’m a mom and I #ApproveThisLunchbox
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, yet as always, all opinions are my own.
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I agree, it’s definitely all about balance. The girls love rice krispie squares for a snack. 🙂 So cool to see they are made of brown rice!
This is a great tip. I love to give me daughter treats at times, but I want to make sure she is getting all of the good stuff she needs too.
You always need balance in a lunch box. We always have a sandwich some kind of a fruit snack and then a sweet snack. Usually my son eats the sweet snack last.
Using brown rice is pure genius! It keeps that great flavor we’ve always loved about Treats, but it’s so much better for us.
I always try to send a healthier lunch to school with my youngest. I will have to try the Brown Rice Rice Krispies.
I didn’t even know they made brown rice Rice Krispie squares. I’m glad I no longer have to sneak veggies into everyday foods that my daughter enjoys.
I keep seeing recipies about hiding the veggies in muffins and stuff what a great idea! We love banana bread and zucchini bread!
I am absolutely in love with the idea that these Rice krispies are made with brown rice. How genius to sneak some goodness in!
I also approve this lunchbox! Looks great and I would have hidden some of those snacks for myself too.
This is a great way to keep things healthy yet still delicious in ours kids’ lunch boxes. These treats look like something even I would eat!
What? Rice Krispies has brown rice now? I had noooo idea! I need to get some of those. I love zucchini bread too and so do my girls. Great idea!
We don’t have a kiddo in school yet, but we do pack lunch daily for work. I can implement these tips for those!
I am always looking for healthy lunch box ideas. I have been experimenting with adding veggies in my brownies.
Rice Krispies Squares are a family favorite. It can be hard to get the kids to eat the healthy foods in their lunches.
My son loves Rice Krispies! Love your tips!
My kids love banana bread and we’re trying to get them to eat more raw veggies!
I have never seen these before. I am sure my kids would love them.
Now there’s a treat I wish had been around when my kids were in elementary school. Brown rice is so good for you, I think adults will enjoy keeping some of these on hand when hunger strikes, too.
I like your ideas. I definitely had to be sneaky with the healthy ingredients sometimes. I’m liking the new krispie treats.
I think it is so cool that Rice Krispies now has brown rice bars. Love that they are trying to be more healthier.