ArcaMax

Apples with peanut butter. Slice up an apple and give the kid access to the peanut butter jar. They can take out a big scoop and then dip their apple in it or spread it on the slices. Plenty of protein to get them through the morning. Filling too.

Smoothies. Have a teenager who wants to run out the door? Hand them a protein smoothie in one of those ‘go cups’ usually reserved for coffee. It will stay cold. The secret is to use full fat Greek yogurt. Steer clear of the huge aisle of yogurt that is all full of sugar. You can sweeten the shake with frozen fruit and Truvia. Just follow the recipe. Little kids love these too. They think they are getting an ice cream treat. Play that up!

Lunch

Any of the transportable things above can work for lunch. Even the pancakes. They travel well. Who says you can’t have breakfast for lunch? Brunch is good.

Meat rolls. You can go back to your butcher and ask for lunch meat that has been roasted in house. Steer clear of the stuff in the packages hanging on the wall. You want fresh, unprocessed lunch meat. Choose your kid’s favorite slice. Then add a slice of cheese and their favorite spread (mayo, mustard, etc) and roll it up. You can add lettuce too. They look like little meat cigars. Kids have fun eating them. They transport well in the sealable lunch bags in batches. They can have a few of them. Who says they need bread? Skip it. They can eat their meat rolls with their fingers and have fun.

Salads. Any salad packed in a Tupperware-style container and put in an insulated bag will work.

Meat salads. Things like chicken salad work well. You can do them with or without mayo. Kids like the crunch of celery. You can add nuts too. More protein and fat for the afternoon of focus.

Baby meatloaves. Kids love these. They can be eaten cold or reheated in the microwave.

Drinks. NO SODA. Not even diet. Steer clear. Find healthy options. La Croix, for example has come out with a whole line of naturally flavored sparkling waters. They have a ton of flavors. If you get your kid hooked on this stuff they won’t get a sugar buzz. They won’t get a caffeine buzz. They just get a sparkling experience that tastes amazingly like regular soda. Fun kid flavors too.

This is just a start on the options for lunch.

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