I’m not sure about your family, but at our house it seems as though we just got into to swing of the summer routine – and all of the sudden – it’s already time for the kids to head back to school!

With the return to earlier mornings and busy after school activity schedules, getting back into the lunch packing routine might feel daunting. But it doesn’t have to!

Try out these simple, filling, and nutritious lunch tips to quickly ease into your lunch packing groove:

Harness the power of leftovers! – Avoid doubling up on meal prep by making extra food when you are cooking dinner. I’ve found anything that cuts down on prep time in the morning (especially pre-coffee) is a lifesaver. One of my favorite tricks is storing soup leftovers in glass jars for easy re-heating. This makes it super simple to pull out of the fridge and pop straight into the microwave in the morning. Mere minutes later I’m pouring it into the thermos section of OmieBox and it’s good to go for a warm lunch later in the day!
Buddha bowls – Keep extra roasted veggies and quinoa on hand to make Buddha bowls in a snap. Any type of veggies will do, but my kids particularly love sweet potatoes, broccolini, and roasted chickpeas. You can also add some rotisserie chicken or tofu for extra protein.
Pre-chop your veggies and fruits – I am a huge fan of having cut up veggies and fruits readily available. With chopped asparagus, mushrooms, and spiralized zucchini ready to go in ziplock bags in the fridge, it is easy to whip up scrambles. These are simple, yet packed with protein and veggies. I always have big bowls of washed and/or cut up strawberries, watermelon, and grapes in the fridge, so I can just grab a handful in the morning instead of having to wash/cut them individually. Plus the kids always have the option to reach for a healthy snack when they’re at home and starving, which they always seem to be these days.

What tricks have you used to make packing lunches easier, while still healthy? Share your favorites in the comments below!

About the Author

Nancy Yen is the founder of OmieLife, and developed the OmieBox after realizing there must be a better way to pack lunches for her young sons. She enjoys challenging conventional wisdom, and is always looking for a better way to do things.