Pro-tips for packing a nut-free lunch
Many schools have opted to make a safer environment for kids with food allergies by adopting peanut-free and/or nut-free policies for food that is brought from home. If you have a child that loves to eat PB&J for lunch, we know this can be a big change! Here are some of our favorite ideas and tips for making this process a little easier.
General tips:
- Involve your child. You likely know their favorite foods, but try to get them involved in the shopping process. Have them help you fill out their top 5 foods for categories such as protein, fruit, veggies, treats & snacks/sides. Then shop for those items together.
- Ask about nut-butter substitutes. Ask your school if they have a policy on nut-butter substitutes. If allowed, look for acceptable substitutes like WowButter or SunButter when you shop at Price Chopper.
- Don't wait until the last minute! Plan to pack lunches the night before if possible This will be less stressful during busy mornings. Be sure to keep a running list of foods that are favorites to be replenished on each store shopping trip.
- Purchase a few, key reusable items including a thermos. Find reusable containers and a lunch box/bag that is the right size for items you plan to pack. Ask friends or read some online reviews before you buy.
1. Pick a Main Dish
Here are some of our favorite (non-sandwich) ideas:
- Lunchmeat and cheese rolls ups - use a tortilla
- Mac & cheese (use thermos)
- Soup (use thermos)
- Meatballs (use thermos)
- Yogurt w/ fruit & granola (nut free of course! think oats & honey w/ cinnamon)
- Pita pockets filled with spinach, lettuce, mozzarella or your child's favorites
- Hard boiled eggs
- Pasta salad - there are many types that kids love
- Egg cups (baked in advance)
- Apple slices w/ SunButter or cream cheese
- Bagel thins with toppings like cream cheese or other cheese spread
- Mini pizzas - slice up tortillas & add toppings like black olives or pepperoni
- Chips & dip or nachos. Blue corn tortilla chips w/ a variety of toppings or dips
Pick two (or three) sides.
*Two may be all they have time to eat at lunch. Pro tip-packing a third snack ensures they have a healthy snack for after school, too!
- Carrot sticks - try shreds or chips for more variety
- Veggie straws
- Popcorn
- Cheese cubes/cheese stick/Babybel cheese
- Nut-free crackers (wheat or rice)
- Cucumbers
- Raw broccoli w/ dip
- Sliced bell peppers or mini peppers
- Your child's favorite
3. Pick a treat
- Fruit snacks
- Apples and Sunbutter
- Mini muffins/muffins
- Yogurt (freeze it & it will keep the lunch cold too)
- Berries
- Frozen grapes
- Pudding
- Apple sauce
- Nutri-grain bar
- Dark chocolate
- Dried fruit mix
- Nut-free granola or granola bar (verify it's made in peanut free/nut-free facility)
4. Pick a Drink
- Water (a favorite water bottle can make this fun)
- Flavored water (Capri Sun Roaring Water)
- Fruit flavored water (Add lemon/lime/cucumber)
- Milk
- Caffeine-free/herbal/kid-friendly iced tea
- Sparkling water (older elementary kids may enjoy this)
Remember, it's very important to read labels! Different varieties of packaged foods can have different ingredients or be prepared in a different facility. Always read labels of packaged food to ensure it meets the expectation for your child's school.
We hope you are inspired to try a few new things. Let us know some of your favorites. Tweet us @my_pricechopper or tag us on Instagram @my_pricechopper
Wishing you all the best during the 2019-2020 school year!
