Meal-Prep Hacks to Make Back to School Lunches a Breeze

After a long summer filled with both crazy and lazy days, it’s time to get back into the routine of early mornings, lunch prep and school drop offs. With so much going on, mornings can be a stressful time, with the added pressure of making sure you’re sending your kids to school with healthy lunches, it can feel like a lot!

That’s why we’ve found some clever hacks to help the transition from summer to school year feel a lot easier.

Plan your menu for the week

Setting aside an hour or two on the weekend to organise and plan your recipes will save you time and stress during the week. Try sticking to a flexible lunch plan and start by choosing a ‘main dish’ for each day and easy to prepare snacks. Don’t forget to get the kids involved with ideas and inspiration.

Make a grocery checklist

Once you have your menu locked in, it’s time to hit the local shops, Byford Village is just a five minute drive away and is your one-stop-shop for all things fresh and local. When shopping, pick up frozen or refrigerated food last, before heading to the cashier, so it stays cold longer. Also avoid the inconvenience of running out of pantry staples midweek by making a checklist of must-haves before you head out.

Prepare ingredients that can be utilised in multiple meals

Start your basic food preparation when you are unpacking the shopping to avoid double handling where you can. Wash, chop and portion out ready-to-eat foods like fruits, veggies and deli meats and place them in storage bags and containers. You can also boil eggs or make sandwiches in advance and refrigerate or freeze.

Involve the kids

A major perk of preparing ingredients ahead of time is that your little ones can help assemble their own lunch boxes. Not only does it get them involved and off their devices in the morning but helping with the process might encourage them to branch out and try new foods. It also helps with getting you out the door on time!