17 Real Moms (and Dads) Share Their Secrets to Packing Healthy School Lunches

We love this down-to-earth advice from whatmykideats! She says it's OK to keep things simple, "Not every lunch has to look like an Instagram lunchbox. Stick to your kid's favorites (like PB&J, muffins, or sliced cheese) to help hold on to your dwindling sanity during busy weeks."

You may have mastered dinnertime meal prep, but moderndaybrownmom is all about lunchbox prep. "Having a fridge full of fresh, healthy options at your fingertips can save time during busy weeks. Many fruits (such as berries and apples) can be washed, dried, and stored for up to a week in airtight containers. Salads (minus the dressing) can be prepped days ahead for use during the week. Even proteins like eggs can be hard-boiled and stored for use throughout the week."

If you're into freezer prep, healthy muffins, meatballs, burgers, falafel, soup, and chili can all be made in large batches and frozen for later use, as well.

"Adding just a little something cute to a lunch can make all the difference for picky eaters," according to Jennifer of kids.eat.in.color. She also told us that you don't need to go all out, "A few apple hearts or panda-shaped food picks can help little ones get more interested in lunch."

Gillian of lalalunchbox was so fed up with answering the question "What's for lunch?" that she created an app (currently only available for iOS devices) that has literally saved her lunch-packing sanity. Her kids can plan their lunches every day based on a list of foods that she has chosen for them. "I'm always in control, but they're empowered. The app is completely customizable and easy to use."

If you are always trying to think up new creations to pack in your child's lunchbox, lunchboxmafia's lunch packing strategy will make your life so much easier. "Figure out how to recreate the same food your kid loves in different ways. If they love pizza, for example, try small pizzas on English muffins or bagels with plenty of veggies on the sauce. You can even do pizza crescent rolls, empanadas, pinwheels, pasta, and hot pockets."

This idea from heather.happykidskitchen is both practical and pretty! "I always aim to get as many colors into my kids' lunches as possible. Packing the rainbow is nutritious, eye appealing, fun, and can be made up of whatever you already have in the fridge."

Zaynesplate is all about keeping lunch interesting by turning breakfast and dinner foods into lunchbox meals. "Don't feel like you have to stick to classic lunchbox foods like sandwiches and apples. My kids love it when I mix things up with breakfast foods, leftovers from dinner, or tapas-style meals." This method has the added bonus of getting variety into your little learner's lunchbox.

Having the right gear can make packing a healthy lunch that much easier. Amy of yummytoddlerfood likes to "invest in one quality lunchbox and one thermos so I have options for packing hot and cold foods. You don't need to spend $50 on a lunchbox, but do get one from a reputable company to ensure it lasts (and that they can help you replace it if it breaks too quickly)."

Amy likes to have a thermos on hand for packing leftovers that are best served warm like pasta, quesadillas, mac and cheese, and even pancakes.

lunchboxdad swears by bento boxes to keep lunch healthy and interesting. "A good bento lunchbox might cost a little more up front, but will last for an entire year (or more!) and cost less in the long run than a cheaper box or bag. The compartments make it easy to actually see what you are putting in your kids' lunches – this is key to packing more fruits and vegetables." Don't worry, the cute baseball theme is totally optional.

Kelly of noshandnourish uses the power of the alphabet (and hashtags) to ensure her daughter is always trying something new. "My #NourishABC lunch series helped me get out of a packing rut. When you focus on a certain letter of the alphabet, it forces you to get the creativity flowing."

Kelly has noticed that kids seem more willing to try something new – like kiwi, kohlrabi noodles, or Korean BBQ beef jerky – when they know it is for a certain letter of the alphabet. Who knew!?

"Get a few different tools to help make your kid's lunchboxes exciting and they will usually be more willing to try new things," Lauren of landryslunches shared with us. She likes to keep a wavy knife, small cookie cutters, food picks, and lunchbox notes on hand to make her son's lunches extra special.

According to Jimena of kidlunchbox, you should "buy a minimum of five types of fruit and five types of vegetables every week. This way, you are guaranteeing that your children eat a varied and nutritious meal." She also mentioned that parents should keep track of what's in season, because those fruits and veggies are often cheaper than those that aren't.

We never would have thought of this clever tip from goodiegoodielunchbox. She told POPSUGAR, "It's a great idea to practice using lunchboxes before school starts. This will ensure your child has practice opening and closing their lunchbox (which can be tricky for little hands) and you will also have a good idea of how much food you will need to pack."

"Leftovers are your best friend," according to Bec of theveryhungrymummy. "Leftovers mean you have one less thing to worry about in the morning. Meatballs can quickly be added to pasta or into a mini sub sandwich. Pasta can be served cold with some extra protein (like cheese or deli meat) stirred through." Bec likes to pack leftovers in a thermos or insulated lunchbox with a spot for warm foods.

The mom behind lilaslunchbox likes to write a daily lunchbox menu before she does her weekly grocery shopping. She loves this organizational shortcut because "it makes shopping so much easier and lunchbox packing less time consuming." She also likes to let her kids help decide what will be on the menu, knowing they'll be much more likely to eat it if they have a say, too.

Ashley of veggiesandvirtue is a mom and a pediatric dietitian, so she knows her stuff. She keeps a snack drawer in the fridge (and a similar basket in the pantry) stocked with "nourishing, safe snack options that are ready to go." She recommends pre-packaged snacks that meet your child's school's dietary requirements (nut-free, for example), or items you make ahead and store in the fridge to easily toss in to their lunchbox.

"These food choices can help round out and add variety to your child's lunchbox. Items like healthy muffins, oat bars, energy bites, dried or fresh fruit, yogurt cups, baggies of veggies, small hummus or guacamole containers, trail mix, and hard-boiled eggs are all great options," Ashley said.

The ladies behind the popular Instagram account (and podcast of the same name) didntijustfeedyou reminded us to never underestimate the power of the freezer. "When you've got leftovers, freeze them in small portions for packing. Shelled edamame can be dressed and sent frozen — it will thaw by lunch time. It's also good to keep some basic grains on hand in the freezer for those times when you just need to round out fresh proteins and veggies. We both like brown rice and quinoa from the freezer section for this."