Whether your kids pack or buy lunch at school, as a parent you most likely have to plan ahead to be sure they eat economically and nutritiously. You can't manage the school cafeteria menu, but you can train your children to make wise choices within a lunch budget's frame of reference. You can control what they pack for lunch, which allows for experimentation and creativity while keeping an eye on food prices.
To reduce costs without compromising your children's health benefits from eating a balanced noontime meal, here are a few suggestions:
1. Keep informed of the school cafeteria's upcoming menus. Often these are printed in advance, and in some school systems the kids get to bring home a copy for parents' information. If your school does not supply a menu at present, ask if one can be sent home to help parents guide their children's lunch choices. Then go over the menu with your kids, checking off the items you want them to buy to ensure they stay within the budget framework and eat a balanced meal.
2. Train your kids in food item selections. Explain the benefits of a meal that is balanced both in caloric and dollar value. Advise them to have one hamburger rather than two and not to waste food. Buy juice boxes on sale and send with kids even when they buy the rest of their lunch meal to save money on the beverage portion, unless you prefer they drink milk. Avoiding the fifty cents expenditure for a can of soda will save money and dietary or dental concerns from the empty calories and sugary content.
3. Let them pack their lunches. Take the kids shopping and point out several types of lunch items to choose from. Focus on those that are healthy and cost-effective. Putting your children in charge of their own lunches will make them more budget-conscious and give them a sense of control over their own lives in this introductory way. Supervise the preparation of bag or lunchbox lunches to be sure all food is safely packaged to prevent spoilage.
4. Plan out a month of lunches. Planning ahead will help everyone know what to expect and stay within the budgetary restraints. For example, looking at advance menus your kids may favor school pizza on Tuesdays and burgers on Friday, the usual pattern. Allow them to buy on these two days each week if they agree to pack the other three. This will help kids develop decision-making qualities, too.
5. Negotiate for adjustments. Even with plans made in advance, sometimes an unexpected event will upset the apple cart. Let kids bargain to rearrange lunch plans due to field trips, absence, or other circumstances that affect their lunch plans. An occasional switch of lunch items or additional lunch purchase can be provided with adequate notice.
School lunches are an important part of your children's health and diet. Many kids prefer to buy than pack lunch, although this can be costly. Use the lunchtime option to teach them about money management and nutritious food choices, and everyone will come out ahead.
