Zero-Waste, Healthy Lunch Guide
These days it seems there's a brown bag lunch revival. Especially since so many parents want their kids to eat healthier food than what schools typically provide and so many have to deal with food allergies.
Beyond just a brown bag with healthy food, consider packing a zero-waste (or very little waste) lunch. It may not always be a perfect lunch - some days the pantry and fridge may be a bit barren, some days maybe you're just too tired to do all the prep, and some days might call for a special "naughty" treat. But, have some goals and just do your best.
Here are some tips and resources to pack your zero-waste, healthy lunches:
Tools:
A reusable lunchbox. There are great boxes and bags available these days. Just don't get ones made from PVC.
A reusable sandwich wrap. Waxed paper or recycled aluminum foil are good options too, try to nix the plastic baggies.
A reusable ice pack to keep cold food cold.
Stainless steel or reusable plastic containers. If you use plastic containers, look for safer plastics like #2, 4, or 5 and hand wash them. You should also avoid using anything warm or acidic or fatty in plastic as it promotes leaching.
A thermos for soups, yogurt, etc.
A stainless steel beverage bottle for drinks.
Metal or bamboo silverware.
Cloth napkins.
Another great idea for your tool kit is cookie cutters. Make fun shapes out of sandwiches, cheese and slices of produce and your child is sure to get a smile - and a tummy-full of healthy food!
Healthy food choices include:
organic produce (cut into bite size shapes), whole grains, hummus, nuts, etc. Even if it's not all organic, it's really important to have a lot of whole, fresh foods - not the over-processed, over-packaged, single serving snacks marketed for school lunches.
Resources for healthy lunch ideas:
Product recommendations:
*Selected by Healthy Child CEO, Christopher Gavigan, self-proclaimed zero-waste lunch junkie
Buy through The SoftLanding's Safe Munch program and help raise money for Healthy Child!
Go to The Soft Landing and click on the My Account tab in the upper navigation menu of the store.
Create a new account, being sure to enter the unique code "HealthyChild" in the Group Code section of the form.
Submit the form (you should see a message announcing your success).
Go shopping and they'll send Healthy Child a check for 10% of total purchases made online each month!
(Please note that you will need to log into your account each time you shop at the store in order for your purchases to be counted toward your donation total.)
And you know what? Zero-waste, healthy lunches aren't just great for kids. Go ahead and pack one for yourself at the same time! Whether you know you're going to need a lunch later or if you just think you might get snacky, it's nice to have a little food on hand. It stops you from buying impulse foods that are not good for you or the planet.
What are your healthy school lunch tips? Any favorite products or resources?
Find Out More:
Learn tips for buying healthy food on a budget and making food fun for kids!
Submit your favorite healthy recipe! We randomly select a winner every quarter to win a fabulous prize package!
