Make Your Own Lunch Kit

By: Dana Angelo White, M.S., R.D., A.T.C.

Say sayonara to store-bought lunch kits! These DIY versions will make your kid the envy of the lunchroom.

Nutrition Facts

Pre-packaged lunch kits sure seem convenient, but the quality of the food is subpar at best. Popular options include crackers and processed meats and cheeses, coupled with sugary drinks and cookies. The calorie counts vary from 300 to 450 per serving, with 8 to 20 grams and fat, plus 30 to 40 percent of an adult's sodium needs for the entire day. What's even more disturbing is the staggeringly long list of ingredients, usually chock-full of preservatives.

Packing Up

Bento-style containers make homemade lunch kits a breeze. Compartments keep food fresh and allow little fingers to snatch up and assemble their favorites. Most set-ups retail for $15 to $25 each at Pottery Barn Kids and Laptop Lunches. Resealable plastic bags and small plastic containers can also get the job done.

Getting Fresh

Here are 5 fresh lunch combos that keep the menu fun and healthy.

Thick-sliced roasted turkey, cheese cubes, edamame and yogurt-dipped pretzels (above)
Greek yogurt, fresh berries, granola and carrot sticks
Grilled chicken, tortilla chips, black bean salsa and broccoli florets
Mini PB &J, whole wheat pretzels and grapes
Pasta salad, green beans and apple

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition. See Dana's full bio »

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HealthyEats

Make Your Own Lunch Kit