Lunchtime Survival Kit

In a lunch rut already? You'll have made about 190 lunches by the end of the school year, so take advantage of our Lunchtime Survival Kit. It's full of tips, picks and recipes for an out-of-the-box kind of lunch.

Enriched with protein-dense eggs, this classic quick-cooking Italian comfort food for kids comes together in a snap and packs up perfectly in the lunch box.

‘Cook once, eat twice' is a savvy mama motto we all need to embrace. Double up on everything—rice, pasta, cooked proteins, soups and stews, and set aside portions for the next day's lunch. So many foods can fit into a thermos or can be wrapped up in a tortilla the next day.

To help keep the lunch box cool, freeze fruits and/or veggies, squeeze pouches, drink boxes and small bottles of water to use as edible ice packs in an insulated lunch bag. Not only will this keep the lunch cold, but by midday the frozen drink or snack will have melted giving kids something cool to enjoy with lunch.

Anything bite-sized is a perfect addition to packed lunches. And what's even better than the perfect size—the perfect shelf life. Make them in bulk (we buy the crust), freeze them and add to a lunch still frozen—they'll be perfectly thawed in time to eat.

There's no denying that kids flip for dip, so pack this hummus with an array of veggies and pita—a great lunch for maximizing that bento box container—and they'll be happy come noon.

Don't forget to pack a fork (or spoon) when needed, but refrain from breaking out the good silverware or using plastic pieces that come with an eco-footprint. Instead, consider picking up an inexpensive set from your favourite bargain, wholesale, dollar or thrift store, and use them just for lunches.

This sweet slaw is the ideal salad to pack, thanks to the grated fruit and vegetables that are easy to eat with minimal mess. The acid in the vinaigrette keeps the apple and pear bits from turning brown, and the sunflower seeds add a boost of protein to the dish.

An hour or two of cooking time on the weekend will make the work week go much smoother. Hard-boil eggs, make dips, chop veggies, bake and fill the freezer for the week ahead.

Made with no refined sugar, these whole-wheat brownies are a great snack. For a dairy-free version, omit the chocolate chips and swap the milk for your favourite non-dairy beverage. Feel free to use decaf coffee in place of regular if you prefer.

When you're in a sliced-sandwich rut, consider swapping out your regular bread products for a grainy alternative, such as waffles, leftover pancakes, tortillas, dinner rolls, bagels, pretzel buns, English muffins, naan, pitas and rice cakes. (Tip adapted from Beating the Lunch Box Blues)

Whether they say they like tuna or not, adding some diced apples to this toddler-sized pita pouch will give it a bit of a kick that should please their palettes.

Make litterless lunches easy by packing reusable snack bags and wraps to hold sandwiches, cookies, crackers, fruits and veggies. Made with food-safe fabric, this dishwasher-friendly product is a snap to clean.

Leftover chicken is quickly transformed into a veggie-heavy wrap bursting with flavour thanks to the addition of pre-cooked bacon. What a time-saver!

This insulated lunch tote fits a sandwich, fruit or veggies, a juice box and a small ice pack. It's super easy to clean and has a quick-snap buckle that you can attach to a backpack, bike or stroller. It's also PVC and BPA free for you eco-savvy moms.

Presentation is everything when it comes to kids, so skip the basic sandwich and opt for this fun skewered alternative—they won't be able to resist.

A well-stocked pantry is like having money in the bank when it comes to making school lunches. Keep fresh fruits and veggies chopped and ready to go in the fridge with cooked chicken. Stock up on non-perishables, such as whole grain crackers, popcorn, dried fruit, assorted seeds, beans and granola.

It's easy to pick up a box of the originals during your weekly grocery run, but it's way more fun to surprise your little monkeys with this mommy-made version instead.

With all food choices presented at the same time—meaning the healthy options get just as much face time as the cookies—these reusable, easy-to-clean containers provide perfect portion sizes for little kids.

There's a good chance there will be a kerfuffle with the kids over getting a truffle. These scrumptious balls of dried fruit with chocolate make for a very special school treat, for some very special A+ students.

It's school lunch-making season. Avoid the sandwich rut with this handy lunch guide. Print your copy now.