Lunch Solutions on a Budget

Lunch Solutions on a Budget

Get free shipping with Site to Store on eligible items. 

Nobody knows your kids like you do, and that goes double for their eating habits. Little Johnny may just skip lunch if the school cafeteria is serving something “yucky” — or he may scarf down costly junk food, instead. Either way, he’s not getting the energy he needs to see him through the school day.

That’s why packing a kid-friendly lunch may be the best way to ensure your children have food they not only enjoy, but that’s good for them, too. It's also a great way to keep your family's mealtime budget on track.

Lunches That Pack a Punch

Naturally, you want to include your kids’ favorite foods in their lunches. The key is giving them nutritious versions of those foods. Here are some ideas for bagging healthy lunches:

Standard Fare Healthier Fare
  
High-fat lunch meatsLower-fat deli meats, such as turkey
 
White breadWhole-grain breads, pita, tortillas or other wraps
 
MayonnaiseLight mayo, mustard, ketchup or hummus
 
ChipsBaked chips; reduced-fat popcorn; pretzels; peanuts; baby carrots or grape tomatoes and low-fat ranch dip
 
Fruit in syrupFresh fruit or fruit in natural juices
 
Cookies, candyLow-fat trail mix, yogurt, low-fat pudding, raisins, fresh fruit, applesauce, low-fat homemade treats or 100-calorie packs of their favorite treats
 
Soda and fruit drinksLow-fat milk, water or 100% fruit juice
 
Sandwich Alternatives

Keep your kids’ lunch bag filled with a variety of flavors and good-for-them foods that are fun to eat:
 

  • Puree black beans or pinto beans and spread on a whole-wheat tortilla, top with salsa and chopped lettuce and roll it up
  • Fill half of a whole-wheat pita with hummus and chopped vegetables
  • Pack whole-grain crackers spread with reduced-fat cheese or peanut butter that contains no trans fats
  • Pack leftovers from their favorite dinner this week
  • Kids love pizza, hot or cold! Serve a nutritious version with vegetable toppings at dinner, then pack leftovers in their lunch bag
Proper Packing

No matter how messy your kids may be, they’ll still want a lunch bag that’s neat and dry. Here’s how to make sure their lunch bag is appealing:
 

  • Put messier lunch foods in resealable bags to avoid spills
  • Put trail mix, crackers and other loose snack foods in small containers with lids
  • To keep fresh fruit from bruising, wrap it in a paper towel, which can then double as a napkin
  • Place sandwiches in hard plastic containers so they don’t get mangled by other foods in the lunch bag
  • Include premoistened towelettes so kids will clean up before eating

Given the concerns about nutrition in school cafeteria lunches, and given kids’ finicky tastes, a lunch packed at home makes good sense. You can even invite your kids to help plan the “menu.” With your guidance, they’ll be sure to get a fun, wholesome lunchtime meal every day.

Print Article

Important Walmart Disclaimer: All content, including but not limited to, recipe and health information provided in In Stores Now, is for educational purposes only. Such content is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. Such content does not cover all possible side effects of any new or different health program. Consult your medical professional for guidance before changing or undertaking a new diet or exercise program. Advance consultation with your physician is particularly important if you are under eighteen (18) years old, pregnant, nursing, or have health problems.

If you have dietary restrictions and/or allergies, always read the ingredient list carefully for all food products prior to consumption. Allergens and their derivatives can have various names and may be present in some food brands but not others. If the ingredient list is not available on the food product, check with the food manufacturer, or do not consume the product. If you have a food allergy, speak to your physician and/or a registered dietitian for a comprehensive list of foods and their derivatives to avoid prior to using any recipe from Walmart.com. Neither the author nor Walmart.com assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.

Product information is provided by the supplier or manufacturer of the product and should not be construed as advice. Walmart does not sponsor, recommend or endorse any third party, product, service or information provided on this site.

 

Seasonal Features