These days, it’s hard to trust the quality of food available to our kids when they’re at school. You have all sorts of processed or packaged food that may appear nutritious on the outside, but they’re anything but. Beware of buzzwords like ‘fat-free’ or ‘low-carb’ because sometimes those are even worse than their full-fat, full-carb counterparts. What you really want is quick, convenient meals that you can make on the fly so that your kids have multiple options as they walk out the door.

This recipe idea for bento lunch boxes delivers top-tier nutrition with a feast for the eyes to go with it. The best part of the recipe is it’s ready to go in five minutes flat! Give our idea a try and listen to your kids tell you how they had an awesome lunch.

5-Minutes to the Ultimate Kids Lunch

Start this recipe off by taking a visit to your local fresh grocery store. Fresh ingredients are essential for this bento box. Under no circumstances should you be using any form of processed foods. While it may seem time-consuming at first to use all fresh ingredients, trust us when we say it’s well worth the effort in the long run.

Go Organic

Purchase a fresh head of lettuce. Ask your grocer where they obtain their produce to ensure that what you’re purchasing isn’t loaded with pesticides. Organic produce contains no herbicides or pesticides, making it ideal for your children. Choose to shop with grocers that support local farmers when possible to help the local economy as well.

Look for fresh berries and fruit; they contain high quantities of polyphenol antioxidants. These compounds eliminate free radicals from the bloodstream and keep your kids healthy, protecting their precious bodies from infection and disease. Freezing fruits yourself can be helpful for making smoothies later on.

Combine Different Types of Cheese for More Flavor

Monterey Jack cheese and cheddar make a tasty combination with organically farmed turkey breast. These ingredients the best on fresh whole wheat or rye bread, but you can use any type of bread you want except white bread. White bread is highly processed and ranks high on the high glycemic index. Foods that are high on the glycemic index are more likely to cause big spikes in blood sugar, which can cause ‘crashes’ later on and unstable energy levels.

On the other hand, whole grain bread like rye has a low GI score. They digest at a slower rate than white bread, providing sustained energy release. This is due to the protein and fiber content of the bread.

You can make this bento box in 5-minutes. Bento style sandwiches mean that you can make them at night or in the morning, and the bread won’t go soggy like traditional sandwiches. Also, they’re easy to make in bulk, so you can make some for yourself and the hubby as well. Just take the skewers and fill them with alternating ingredients of turkey breast, bread, lettuce, and cheese. Fill separate containers with ranch or yogurt. Place everything into their lunch box along with the fruit, and you are ready to go! If you have a little extra time, some garnishing to decorate will go a long way, too.

5-Minute Bento Box for the Easiest Kids Lunch Ever

Author: misswish.com
Prep Time: 5
Total Time: 5 minutes

Scale

For the sandwiches

1–2 whole wheat or rye bread slices, cut into 1 inch squares
1 slice Cheddar cheese, cut into squares
1 slice Monterey Jack cheese, cut into squares
2–3 slices deli turkey
lettuce leaves
2 bamboo or plastic skewers

The rest of ingredients

¼ cup low fat Ranch Dressing or Greek yogurt
cucumber or other vegetables(celery, carrots, bell peppers), cut into sticks
fresh berries or other fruit

To make the sandwiches, wash the lettuce leaves and gently pat dry with kitchen towel.
Thread the ingredients onto the skewers, alternating between bread, cheese, turkey and lettuce.
Pack the sandwiches in a lunchbox with Ranch dressing or Greek yogurt, veggies and fresh berries for a nutritious and satisfying meal.