Hey there, parents! As we gear up for the back-to-school 2024 season, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done. There’s a lot to tackle before that school bell rings! One thing I’m really excited about this fall is meal prepping.
To help lighten your load this school season, let’s dive into some meal prep strategies. In this post, I’ll share five tips for back-to-school meal prep–including ideas for meal-prep templates–that will save you time and energy while ensuring your family eats well.
I hope these ideas make your busy days a little easier and keep everyone happy and healthy!
Delegate
No matter how old your kids are, they can get involved in school lunch meal prep and lunch packing in some way. Kids love to feel included! Whether it’s chopping ingredients, packing their bento boxes, or stirring muffin batter, giving them a few responsibilities can encourage them to eat what they’ve helped create.
Plus, when kids are involved in preparing meals, they’re often more willing to try new foods, including fruits and veggies. It’s a great way to make mealtime more fun and adventurous!
Plan and prep ahead
Making good decisions can be tough when you’re tired or stressed—even for a dietitian! That’s why having a solid plan A (and maybe even a plan B) is helpful for keeping meals on track, no matter what the day throws your way.
Using a meal plan as a guideline can be super beneficial. You don’t have to stick to it rigidly, but it’s a great way to kickstart healthy meals that the whole family will love. Try picking three dinners and a few snacks each week. Stick with this for about 4-6 weeks until you build a rotation of at least 10 go-to dinners. Dishes like soups, stews, and roasted proteins also make great lunches when paired with easy sides like fruits, veggies, cheese, and crackers.
My favorite dinner leftover combinations include:
Shredded chicken tacos with salsa and prepared guacamole
Vegetable chili with cheese and crackers
Beef stew with rice
Tofu or other protein kabobs with yogurt sauce
Broccoli Cheddar soup with whole grain toast wedges
A great tip for turning tonight’s dinner into tomorrow’s lunch is to scale your recipes so you have leftovers for the next day. Another helpful strategy is to pack your lunches before you sit down for dinner. This way, you can avoid the stress of trying to prep during your busy morning!
Batch your work
We often discuss batching tasks at work, but you can apply the same time-saving principle in the kitchen!
For instance, if your kids love smoothies for breakfast, prepare smoothie packs in cups or bags and store them in the freezer. This way, breakfast becomes as easy as dumping the ingredients into the blender and adding their favorite milk or juice.
If your child enjoys crunchy red bell pepper sticks for lunch, don’t cut a new pepper every night. Instead, chop a batch once or twice a week—maybe even have your kiddo help out! Store the sliced peppers in baggies for quick lunch packing, or keep them in a container for easy access during bento box prep.
And if you’re making two different dinners that require chopped onions and celery, chop enough for both meals at once. You’ll be glad you did when it’s time to cook the second recipe!
Use a meal-prep template
Looking for ways to lighten your mental load? Using templates can be a game-changer!
If your child uses a bento box for lunch, assign a food group to each section—like whole grains on the left, fruits below, and protein on the right. Discuss what counts for each section and brainstorm options together. This way, your child can pack their lunch as a throw-together meal with minimal input from you.
For dinners, establish a few go-to meals that are quick and easy to prepare. Think Taco Tuesdays! You can use a crockpot for your favorite taco filling, so dinner is mostly ready by the time you all get home. Other simple ideas include breakfast for dinner, pizza Fridays, or picking up a rotisserie chicken on Mondays. The ingredients each week don’t have to stay the same - try having beef tacos one week, and chicken tacos the following week. These routines can make mealtime a breeze!
A few of my family's favorite throw-together recipes are:
Adjust your expectations
When circumstances change, it’s totally normal for your patience and bandwidth to shift, too! During this back-to-school season, be kind to yourself. With more activities and to-dos each day, it’s completely reasonable to seek ways to simplify and delegate. You don’t have to handle everything on your own or prepare meals the same way you would when you have more time. Remember, you can still have a happy and healthy family while taking a few shortcuts!
Key takeaways: planning school lunch organization ideas
Change can be stressful, and back-to-school brings plenty of it! So, be patient with yourself and your family as you set up new routines. Think about what steps you need to take to ensure you’re eating meals that help you thrive. Planning is key, and don’t forget to have that plan B ready, just in case!
If you are ready to make changes for both you and your family, Catalyst Nutrition and Training would love to help. Use our online nutrition coaching service to get all the food advice you need to make the best decisions for your loved ones.
Ask us how we can make your meal times stress-free, for good! We can’t wait to meet with you.
Contact us today with questions, or schedule an appointment now!
This blog post is such a lifesaver for busy parents trying to navigate the back-to-school rush! I love how practical and realistic your meal-prep tips are—especially the idea of involving kids in the process. Not only does it make them more invested in their lunches, but it also encourages them to try new, healthy foods. The meal-prep template for bento boxes is genius, and batching tasks for the week sounds like a true time-saver. I’ll definitely be using these ideas to simplify my family’s mealtime routine. Thanks for the helpful strategies!