Back to School: Packing Healthy Lunches for Your Children

08/18/2025 by Ryley Youngs

Once the school year starts, mornings can start to feel like a race against time. You have to get everyone dressed, fed, and out the door in less time than it takes your pot of coffee to brew. In that kind of everyday chaos, packing a healthy lunch can feel like an impossible task.

We all know that balanced nutrition is one of the best tools for supporting your child’s learning and growth. But how do you actually make it happen? Here are some tips to make packing healthy lunches easier and more enjoyable for both you AND your kids:

Tip #1 – Aim for Balance

A good, balanced lunch should include a mix of protein, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. This might feel overwhelming, but you can strike a good balance fairly easily. For example, you could pair turkey or chicken slices with whole-grain bread, then add some carrot sticks or cucumber slices on the side and finish the lunch with a handful of berries or apple slices.

North Country HealthCare’s pediatric providers can answer nutrition questions tailored to your child’s needs, ensuring they get the right balance of nutrients. Let us know during your next well child visit if this is something you’d like a little help with!

Tip #2 – Think Beyond Sandwiches

Healthy lunches don’t have to contain a sandwich every day. There are so many other great options that you can mix in to keep things interesting! For example, you might want to consider wraps, pasta salads, bento boxes with cheese and crackers, or even last night’s leftovers in a thermos. Variety keeps kids excited about eating well, and that’s a huge part of this.

Tip #3 – Involve Your Kids

When children help pack their own lunches, they’re more likely to eat them. That’s just science! We understand that not every kid is going to be excited about helping in the kitchen, but even just letting them choose from a few healthy options can go a long way. For example, you could ask them which kind of fruit, veggie, or dip they want for their crackers. This involvement gives them a sense of independence while still keeping their nutritional needs in mind.

Tip #4 – Hydration, Hydration, Hydration

We mention hydration on this blog constantly but that’s because it actually is SO important. Dehydration can greatly impact energy levels and sugary drinks can cause crashes during the school day. Water or milk are the best choices and it’s super easy to provide! A reusable water bottle filled each morning is a simple and effective way to keep your child hydrated.

We are happy to offer guidance on how much water your child should be drinking daily. Just ask your North Country HealthCare provider during your child’s next well visit.

Tip #5 – Plan Ahead

Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is a little bit of pre-planning. Future you will thank you! Packing your kids’ lunches the night before can save time and stress in the morning rush. Even if you don’t fully pack the lunch the night before, you could pre-chop fruits and veggies and portion snacks into small containers to make the mornings run more smoothly. You could even do this on the weekend with your regular meal prep tasks!

Concluding Thoughts

Healthy lunches fuel healthy minds. With a little planning, your child can enjoy nutritious, tasty meals that help them stay focused and active throughout the school day. And remember, if you have questions about your child’s nutrition or growth, the caring team at North Country HealthCare is here to help!

<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>