HOUSTON – If packing school lunches feels like a daily struggle, you’re definitely not alone.
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Registered dietitian Kristi King, with Texas Children’s Hospital, shares a simple but powerful approach to making school lunches.
Get Your Kids Involved
One of the biggest tips? Let your kids have a say in what goes into their lunchbox. When kids help choose their food, they feel more ownership and are more likely to eat what’s packed — even if it’s something new.
“Getting kids involved in making their food choices is really important,” King explains. “Having some ownership encourages them to try foods they might not be familiar with.”
So instead of packing lunch solo, try making it a team effort. Ask your child what they want to include from the “love, like, and still learning” categories.
What Is “Love, Like, and Still Learning”?
This method is all about balance:
- Love: Foods your child absolutely loves and looks forward to eating.
- Like: Foods they enjoy but might not be their top favorites.
- Still Learning: New foods they’re trying out — maybe a new veggie, fruit, or something like tuna salad that’s not part of their usual routine.
“Learning means something new — a new vegetable, fruit, or even a food they haven’t tried before,” King says. “It’s about expanding their palate without pushing too hard.”
Don’t Force It — Let Kids Decide How Much to Eat
If your child doesn’t finish everything, don’t stress. King reminds us that it’s the adult’s job to provide healthy options, but the child’s job to decide how much to eat.
“We don’t push kids to eat everything. We want to make eating a joyful experience,” she says. “If they don’t eat it, we’ll try again another day.”
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This approach helps keep mealtime positive and stress-free for everyone.
What About Treats?
Worried about chips, cookies, or candy sneaking into the lunchbox? The dietitian says treats are okay — just in moderation.
“Include fun snacks or desserts a few times a week,” she suggests. “Maybe surprise them with a treat sometimes and use it as a chance to talk about balance.”
Interestingly, allowing kids to have treats regularly can actually diminish the “forbidden” appeal that makes sweets so tempting.
“When parents say ‘no,’ kids often go elsewhere to get it,” she explains. “So, it’s better to include treats for kids to have treats regularly, can actually diminish, so it’s not something they need to sneak or crave.”
Takeaway: Make Lunches a Team Effort and Keep It Joyful
By involving your kids and using the “Love, Like, and Still Learning” method, you can make lunches more enjoyable and help your child develop healthy eating habits — all while taking some pressure off yourself.
So next time you’re packing that lunchbox, remember to include something they love, something they like, and something new they’re still learning to enjoy. It’s a simple way to make lunchtime a win for everyone.