Peer pressure can be tough on little ones, especially in the lunch room. There are a few things you can do to help make sure you child eats the lunch you’ve sent, or (gulp!) doesn’t throw it all in the trash!
The Cool Lunch
Kids love to be the one with the “cool” lunch at their table. You don’t have to break the bank or buy the latest trendy packaged foods to make this happen, though. Remember, just because your child may eat certain foods at home, it’s not a foregone conclusion that they’d accept them as readily in their lunch box. Here are some options:
- Make an ordinary food extraordinary by varying flavors or textures, or pairing things together. For example, fire ants on a log are an unusual pairing, but make for a great conversational item.
- Pack amazing “treat” substitutes for traditional packaged “junk food” (more on this below)
- Use cookie cutters or a knife to make “uncrustable” sandwiches with silly shapes
- Include fun games or notes
- Pack fun straws for a juice box or water bottle