This post includes affiliate links. When you purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For full details, please see our affiliate disclosure page.
There is no greater annoyance in my house than having to think about back to school snacks and making lunches for high school students. Getting all those snacks, sandwiches and juice boxes in order for the kids to grab and go is always tedious until you get into a routine.
My husband (the master sandwich maker) was happiest when there was a pizza or poutine day in high school. Our kids do not tend to buy their lunches (as many do), so we encourage them to bring their lunch. I was there in the morning, making them breakfasts, packing them lunch and snacks, and getting them on the bus on time.
🏡 Where to Stay: Top Accommodations
🥾 Explore: Tours & Experiences
🚙 Hit the Road: Car Rental Deals
🛫 Get Away: Find Flight Deals
🎒 Shop: Travel Essentials
As they entered high school those duties fell on my husband (and the kids themselves). The scheduling is different and early mornings are my husband’s strengths not mine. I am the get home after school and talk about your day, give them a snack and get them going on their homework sort of parent. Regardless of who starts the day with them and who finishes the day, we have two things in common. We have to be the parents that provide back to school snacks for these students!
This year, they have introduced our family to the new Fruit & Nut Medley Bars available in Orchard Cherries & Almonds and Harvest Blueberries & Mixed Nuts. They are fruit and berry ‘power bars’ in my opinion! Packed with berries, nuts, puffed rice and whole grain gluten-free oats providing fibre, protein, iron and Vitamin E.
Back to School Snacks
Getting back to school snacks and lunches can be a bit easier if you keep the fridge and pantry stocked with these:
Granola Bars
1. Granola Bars: The best thing about granola or protein bars is that they are very convenient and the fact that they are wrapped individually means that they are easy to carry. Always having a granola bar or two in a knapsack is a good thing. Especially Kellogg’s NutriGrain Fruit and Nut Medley bars because they have real fruit and nuts.
Yogurt
2. Yogurt: Although yoghurt in tubes was my all time favourite because you could freeze them and the kids would then have cold yoghurt for lunch and not warm yoghurt. My teens are not so keen on those anymore. What my son does like are the probiotic mini-yoghurt drinks. They are more liquidy than regular yoghurt so you don’t need a spoon.
On the other hand, Greek yoghurt tends to be my daughter’s favourite. That means she will get some extra protein in her meal. Add some Kellogg’s Vector or Just Right and you have yourself a winning combination. Just don’t forget to pack an ice pack to keep the yoghurt cold.
Veggies & Hummus
3. Veggies & Hummus: Slowly but surly I am bringing my children around to hummus. Because it is made from pureed chickpeas, it is another good source of fibre and protein. Combining both a protein dip and a veggie is a win-win solutions for teens. The fact that it is finger food also helps when its time for a quick lunch. Did you know that you can use chickpeas as a substitute for eggs in a recipe? Who knew?
Sandwiches
4. Sandwiches: For me, sandwiches are the perfect food. You have bread (yum), cold cuts (yum, yum). maybe a tomato and lettuce (super-yum) and some mayo (hello? happiness defined). I love sandwiches because they are easy to eat and you can have a huge variety of combinations. Everyday of the week you can have a different one: ham & cheese, chicken, tuna, egg, veggies & cream cheese. It is endless. Alas, my children do not feel the same way.
They are not prone to like cold cuts (sigh). For the longest time, they tended to have just plain cheese sandwiches. I don’t get it but that’s their choice. Your kids may be different. I hear that if you cut them into shapes they are more likely to eat them. FYI, teens do not eat sandwiches that are cut into hearts or stars or pumpkins.
Trail Mix
5. Trail mix: We love trail mix when we are on vacation, in the car on our way to a soccer tournament or a volleyball practice. It is easy to grab and easy to store. There are so many different varieties of trail mix that you don’t have to limit yourself to just raisins and peanuts with a few smarties thrown in!
Fruit & Veggies
6. Fruit & Veggies: When we live in such a hectic world we find ourselves looking for convenience. Sometimes we just want to grab and go and that makes it 100% more likely that your kids WILL eat fruit and vegetables as opposed to won’t. If you are a very busy person, don’t skimp on these healthy treats because you don’t have time to chop it up.
Remember, your teens with braces need their apples and carrots cut into manageable bites. Trust me when I say, you don’t want to have to make a trip to the orthodontist because you snapped one of the wires. It is nothing to buy these fruits and veggies pre-cut. All you have to do (or better yet get your teen to do) is to place them in re-usable containers. I hesitate suggestion baggies because we have enough plastic in this world, don’t you think?
Cereal
7. Cereal: A while back I received a cereal bowl that had a cover and a container to hold the milk. That started a trend in my family to take cereal to school. It is easy to transport in container and the kids can buy fresh milk at school. What they don’t use, they just drink up! I don’t suggest sending sugary cereals but ones that have granola or oats. Our family is partial to Vector and Just Right. If you can throw in a container with some strawberries, blueberries or raspberries, you’ve completed a well rounded lunch!
Leftovers
8. Leftovers: My son acquired some great cooking skills this summer and that has been very helpful. The Bolognese (Spaghetti) Sauce that he made has proven to be a hit. So when it is pasta night at our house, I ensure that there are leftovers. At his new school the students have access to a microwave so bringing leftover is doable. I also like to have a large roasted chicken because you can have this with a salad as a lunch choice. Never underestimate the power of the leftover meal – especially if it is one of their favourites.
Baked Goods
9. Baked Goods: Muffins, Scones & Rice Krispies Squares can easily be made at home. We have a favourite cheese muffin recipe that I have had for years. If you add bacon bits to it, it is even more glorious. I love biscuits and scones because they are savoury and not sweet (my preference). If you pair it up with a a few slices of cheese and apples, you’ve got a winning combination of flavours and food groups.
My eldest also like bagels and cream cheese when she was in high school. Easy to make in the morning if it is nicely toasted! If however, you don’t have time to make a tray of Rice Krispies Squares, you can certainly buy individually wrapped Brown Rice Krispies Squares. With the convenience of being Gluten- free, it’s a great treat!
The key to successful back to school snacks and lunches for teens is (1) they are easy to grab first thing in the morning; (2) they like what they are eating, and (3) it’s good for them (but they don’t have to know that). When you acquire good healthy habits, that will take them into adulthood, whether that includes daily exercise, healthy eating, and at least one good belly laugh a day. If I have learned anything from my three teens, it’s this: if they like it, they will eat it. Lucky for me, we found some lunch and snack solutions they like.
🥾 Explore: Tours & Experiences
🏡 Where to Stay: Top Accommodations
🚙 Hit the Road: Car Rental Deals
🛫 Get Away: Find Flight Deals
🎒 Shop: Travel Essentials