Kid lunches. You either love them or loathe them. Why? Well because after all the effort we put into making them, most kids don't eat them. With three kids, I know how maddening packing a nutritious lunch can be so I came up with a solution that has worked: I ask my kids "What would you like to eat?" Who would've thought that would work? What did I learn? I learned that they didn't want a regular sandwich, they wanted a fancier lunch. They wanted something different every day and they wanted wraps. My kids love wraps and honestly, I have way more fun making them than a regular sandwich. Their favorite wrap, which I have perfected to their liking, is a BBQ Turkey and Spinach wrap!!
BBQ Turkey & Spinach Wrap{makes 1}
Ingredients:3 slices of deli turkey (I use a honey maple turkey)1/2 tbsp mayonnaise1 flour tortilla8-10 spinach leaves1 tbsp BBQ sauce (any kind your kid likes)1/4 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
Directions:
Lay out tortilla and spread the mayonnaise on it.
Add turkey slices, top with spinach leaves and then barbeque sauce.
Top with shredded cheese.
To roll the wrap: Fold in the sides about 1 inch in and then roll from one end to the other, just like a burrito.
Cut in half or in rolls (however your child likes it) and then add to the lunchbox, along with a banana and a water bottle. Doesn't get any more nutritious than that!!
If you are asking why water and not juice, well then you should know my kids aren't big juice drinkers. Every week when I go grocery shopping, I pick up a 28 pack of Nestlé® Pure Life® 16.9oz bottles and a pack of Nestlé® Pure Life® Juniors 8oz bottles.
These water bottles fly in my house. I pack a Juniors size in their lunchboxes every day and they carry the bigger size bottle in their backpacks. They are constantly drinking water! It's easy to prep ahead with a week's worth of bottled water for lunches and on-the-go events at one time. Store in the freezer and remove when needed to stock lunches, backpacks or gym bags. The water will be ready to drink when your child is ready!
We all drink lots of water throughout the day, especially with it being so hot outside. When you have a child athlete, you need to make sure they drink lots of water.
I carry water bottles with me to all his sports practices and games. He needs to stay hydrated! Here is a great tip from Robin Plotkin: using age-appropriate concepts, talk to your kids about the importance of hydration. For young children, explain that it helps them stay cool when they are hot; for older, school-aged children, remind them that even mild to moderate dehydration can negatively impact mood, energy, concentration and short term memory-which are all important when studying, taking exams or playing sports!
Packing a nutritious lunch is easy and it's a great habit to start kids on young. In a survey recently conducted by Nestlé® Pure Life® a majority of kids say they prefer a homemade lunch (57%) over a school bought lunch. This preference for packed lunches offers a key hydration opportunity for moms. Pack one of the juniors bottles is a great idea since 84% of moms say bottled water is a convenient way to ensure their child is drinking water.*
THE RIPPLE EFFECT
As a proud supporter of the Partnership for a Healthier America’'s Drink Up Initiative, Nestlé® Pure Life® is committed to helping families make healthier choices, starting with hydration. Nestlé® Pure Life® knows that establishing healthy habits in early childhood has lifelong benefits. Nestlé® Pure Life® calls this the Ripple Effect and we're encouraging moms and their kids to reach for water first! To ignite The Ripple Effect movement and encourage kids to get the water they need throughout their day, Nestlé® Pure Life® has committed to provide nearly one million 8 ounce servings of water to kids this school year at over 20 participating schools in select markets across the country through After-School All-Stars, an organization that strives to keep children safe and healthy.
To help your family Drink Up and be part of the Ripple Effect, visit pureliferippleeffect.com and share your tips for healthy hydration using #pureliferippleeffect. © 2015 Nestlé® Waters North America Inc.
Be sure to check out Nestlé® Pure Life® on social media on Facebook!
Tell me: What's your kids favorite lunch? Do you pack them a water bottle so they stay hydrated through the day?
*“We conducted our online survey in June 2015 of 1,077 moms of kids ages 6-12 overall, including 254 Hispanic moms of kids ages 6-12. 1,077 kids ages 6-12 from the same household were also surveyed, including 254 Hispanic kids ages 6-12.”
