Moms and dads are busy and pressed for time, and trying to pack a healthy lunch during hectic school day mornings can add to the frustration. But the bento box provides a perfect solution!
Bento is a meal concept originating in Japan, consisting of food items held in different containers within a box. A traditional bento consists of rice or noodles, meat or fish, and vegetables, all inside a box. These items can be easily substituted by any healthy carbohydrate, protein, dairy, fruit and vegetable entrée.
You can even get creative and arrange the different items in a bento to resemble animation characters or objects! Even the kids can get involved and help prep the bento boxes, making meal prepping fun and engaging.
A few added bonuses? You won’t be using multiple plastic baggies, and the individual compartments are a good reminder about portion sizes.
Here are 5 easy bento box lunches that take only five minutes to make:
 |
Bento box #1 Hummus with white wheat crackers Cucumber slices Orange bell pepper slices Nectarine slices Grapes |
 |
Bento box #2 Chicken avocado sandwich Cherry tomatoes Apple slices Colorful carrots Dried cranberries |
 |
Bento box #3 Peanut butter jelly sandwich with bananas and raisins Walnuts and almonds Prunes and dried apricots Celery sticks Apples and blueberries |
 |
Bento box #4 Turkey rolls Avocado Colorful carrots Steamed peas Nectarine slices |
 |
Bento box #5 Nonfat greek yogurt with blueberries Granola String cheese Celery sticks Dried cranberries with almonds Pear slices |
All food items can be substituted for different types of meats, fruits, and vegetables. Remember to avoid giving foods that could be a choking hazard to your little ones, like nuts, whole grapes, or cherry tomatoes. We hope you enjoy making these healthy and quick bento lunches for your little ones!
The post 5 EASY BENTO BOX LUNCHES FOR KIDS appeared first on San Diego Pediatricians | Children's Primary Care Medical Group.