The years spent in elementary school is a vital time for a young learner’s mind. It’s a period of their life where they go through lots of change. This can be a challenging period for parents as they navigate the complexities of a child entering adolescence. One of the best ways for a mother or father to negotiate these tough years is to be armed with as much information about what their child needs.

As it’s a critical time in the development of your child, ensuring they have the right nutrition is important. What type of food is best for your child though and how do you avoid the trap of giving them unhealthy convenience food?

Making sure that they have the right nutrition is easier than you think. It comes down to knowing a few simple recipes and then preparing their meals ahead of time. With lunches being the biggest culprit of quick-fix and often unhealthy meals.

In this article, we’ll share a few simple and healthy options that you can sneak into your kid’s lunchbox but before we dive into the recipes, it’s important to know why nutrition is so vital at this stage of their lives.

Why Nutrition Is Vital In Elementary School

It’s not only about looking good in front of other parents. Giving your kids the right nutrition at elementary school age is important. Here’s why.

1. Physical Growth and Development: While your child is in elementary school, they’ll go through a phase of rapid growth and development. If they don’t have the right nutrition there is a risk to the development of their bones, muscles, and tissues.

2. Cognitive Development: A quick search online will show you all you need to know about the fact that nutrition is closely linked to cognitive function. You need to be giving them sufficient levels of omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and vitamins for the development of their brain.

3. Energy and Activity Levels: Any parent with a child in elementary school will know how active they are, surging with energy while they tackle a variety of physical activities. The right nutrition through balanced meals will help them to stay active and focused throughout the day.

4. Immune System Support: When it comes to their immune system, kids need a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. This helps them ward off common illnesses and infections. When you think about how rife schools are with germs and bacteria, this is important.

7 Quick And Healthy Lunch Ideas For Kids

The best way to ensure your children have the nutrition they need is to be prepared and have a few simple recipes up your sleeve.

Here are our healthy lunchtime hacks.

1. Turkey and Veggie Wrap

Ingredients:

Whole wheat tortilla, sliced turkey breast, hummus, shredded lettuce, sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, and sliced bell peppers.

How to Make It:

1. Lay the whole wheat tortilla flat on a clean surface.
2. Spread a generous layer of hummus over the tortilla.
3. Place the sliced turkey breast on top of the hummus.
4. Add shredded lettuce, sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, and sliced bell peppers.
5. Roll the tortilla tightly, slice it in half, and pack it in a lunchbox.

2. Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Corn

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked quinoa, 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed, 1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen), 1/4 cup diced tomatoes, 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, juice of 1 lime, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.

How to Make It:

1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, diced red bell pepper, and chopped cilantro.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the dressing over the quinoa mixture and toss to combine.
4. Pack the salad in an airtight container for a fresh and nutritious lunch.

3. Chicken and Avocado Sandwich

Ingredients:

Whole grain bread, grilled chicken breast (sliced), sliced avocado, lettuce, tomato slices, and low-fat mayonnaise or Greek yogurt.

How to Make It:

1. Spread a thin layer of low-fat mayonnaise or Greek yogurt on one slice of whole grain bread.
2. Layer the grilled chicken breast, sliced avocado, lettuce, and tomato slices on top.
3. Place the other slice of bread on top and press down gently.
4. Cut the sandwich into halves or quarters and pack it in a lunchbox.

4. Veggie and Cheese Quesadilla

Ingredients:

Whole wheat tortillas, shredded cheddar cheese, sliced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, sliced zucchini, and olive oil.

How to Make It:

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of olive oil.
2. Place one whole wheat tortilla in the skillet and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over it.
3. Add sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, and zucchini on top of the cheese.
4. Place another tortilla on top and press down gently.
5. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is golden brown.
6. Let it cool slightly, then cut into wedges and pack in a lunchbox.

5. Yogurt Parfait with Fresh Fruit and Granola

Ingredients:

Greek yogurt, fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), sliced banana, granola, and honey (optional).

How to Make It:

1. In a small container or mason jar, layer Greek yogurt, fresh berries, and sliced banana.
2. Sprinkle granola on top of the yogurt and fruit layers.
3. Drizzle a small amount of honey over the granola if desired.
4. Seal the container and pack it in a lunchbox with a spoon.

6. Mini Whole Wheat Pita Pizzas

Ingredients:

Whole wheat pita bread, tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, sliced olives, sliced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, and Italian seasoning.

How to Make It:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place the whole wheat pita bread on a baking sheet.
3. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the pita.
4. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
5. Add sliced olives, bell peppers, and mushrooms.
6. Sprinkle a pinch of Italian seasoning over the toppings.
7. Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Let the mini pizzas cool slightly, then cut into wedges and pack in a lunchbox.

7. Egg Salad with Whole Grain Crackers

Ingredients:

2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped, 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt or low-fat mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon mustard, salt and pepper to taste, and whole grain crackers

How to Make It:

1. In a bowl, combine the chopped hard-boiled eggs, Greek yogurt or low-fat mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper.
2. Mix until well combined.
3. Pack the egg salad in a small container.
4. Include a serving of whole grain crackers for scooping the egg salad.

Making A Difference With Healthy Lunches

As one of the preferred preschool and private elementary schools in Tamarac, we understand the importance of nutrition. That’s why we place a great deal of focus on helping parents give their children healthy and nutritious lunches. The above lunch ideas will give you a variety of options that are not only delicious but also packed with the essential nutrients that they need.

Hands-on Early Learning In Tamarac

If you are looking to give you children a step up in their education, trust JLP Inspiring Minds. As a leading learning institution in Tamarac, our team of highly qualified staff will nurture the intellect, creativity, and character of your child.

You can register your child for pre-school or submit a school application for the coming year.