FREE Back to School Meal Plan & Healthy Kitchen Tips
Hey, sweet friends!! What an awesome start to August this week in the studio! We are so excited about the goals you have shared with our team and can’t wait to see you reach them — one meal, one workout at a time!
A lot of you have young ones starting back to school over the next couple weeks, and just like you all, we are also ready to get back into our routine of healthy lunches and dinners! Just the thought of planning out meals might seem overwhelming to you. That’s why we’re going to help you jump back into this school year one step ahead!
TransFit Nutrition Consultant, Katie Woodall is sharing a full week’s meal plan with you (below - for FREE) so your meals and workouts are already planned out for you and your family! Wahoo! A week’s worth of family-friendly meals with recipes are laid out for you to help make this transition back to school a smooth one! We’re even giving you a shopping list so you can breeze your way through the grocery aisles!
Included are simple breakfasts your whole family can enjoy, and we’re recommending healthy mason jar salads for your lunches this week! Since your lunches are all planned out, you’re probably wondering what your kids will eat for lunch. We want to help you with that, too.
A new school year is a great time to get your kids to try some new healthy foods! But let’s not get crazy — remember we have to ease them into it, right? Let’s be real. Most kids could eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every single day (or is that just mine?)
Pack foods your kids will eat!
Sure we’d love it if all our kids would eat carrots, broccoli, sliced turkey and edamame. But let’s face it, not all kids will eat this and they need nourishment for school and after-school activities! Pack them a variety of foods so they have choices and be sure to include a couple items they already like.
We talk in the studio a lot about fueling our bodies for our workouts. Our kids need that fuel, too, so they can perform their best at school!
Let your kids pack their lunch.
From kindergarten to 12th grade, each kiddo can help even if it’s a small task! Find a way they can be a part of choosing healthy foods for their lunchbox and feeling like it was “their idea.”
Make it fun!
Use bright or seasonal muffin cups to separate foods. Add toothpicks or make mini fruit kabobs. Send along a sweet card or note to make them smile! My kids love a funny joke, so I buy a couple books with tear-out lunchbox jokes, and I send one each day with a simple, “I love you!”
What to pack!
1. Protein.
The protein doesn’t have to come from meat! Sure you can roll up a couple slices of deli meat, like roast beef, turkey, chicken or ham, but try a variety of protein sources — like a cheese stick (or shredded cheese as my child prefers!), yogurt (just look for low-sugar kinds and resist any artificial sweeteners). You can use different nuts or nut butters (great for dipping, too), beans, hummus or hard-boiled eggs.
2. Whole grains.
Buy whole grains when you can, like whole wheat bread or pasta. Substitute two slices of bread with a whole grain wrap. Add in some whole grain crackers for dipping. You can also try the 1/2 and 1/2 trick for a while to help transition your kids to whole wheat!
3. Colorful fruits and vegetables.
This is a great way to add in fiber and antioxidants. Whole pieces of fruit are great — apples, bananas, oranges, or get creative with the mini fruit kabobs using grapes and berries. Slice up veggies, like a bright red bell pepper or celery. Along with carrots, these vegetables are great for dipping so include a container with a yogurt-based Ranch dressing, fresh salsa, hummus or even guacamole!
4. Sweet and salty snacks.
Mix up a healthy trail mix, or include raw nuts, dried fruits or pretzels. You can freeze tubes of yogurt for a cool treat. Enlist your child’s help over the weekend to prepare homemade energy balls or granola bars for their lunches, too.
5. Hydration.
Pack a mini-bottled water or an organic low-fat milk. When you can, avoid fruit juices. Stick to whole fruit options in their lunchbox to avoid any added sugars.
Use this lunchbox prep time as a chance to connect with your children! Take time to ask them about school or their friendships. Encourage them, and of course, use this opportunity to talk about why we choose healthy, nutritious foods!
And remember, you’re setting an example for your family! These little ones are watching you — taking a little extra time to prepare your salads for the week can be a way of showing your family that you’re honoring your body with healthy foods at lunchtime, too!
Reflect on our verse for this week: Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” Just like your workouts, commit to this family meal plan and planning out healthy lunches for your family. We believe in YOU!
Blessings,
Team TransFit
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Quick, Healthy and On-the-go Mason Jar Salad!
Today I wanted to post one of my all time favorite lunches that I find myself reaching for more and more throughout this busy season...called LIFE! As a mom of 3, who works full time, life can get a little crazy sometimes...ok... who am I kidding, all the time! However, I always want to keep nutrition a priority so I can feel my best and have energy to get all that I need to accomplish done. This recipe provides you with a quick, easy and super healthy lunch that can easily be taken with you as you run out the door to various activities. This is also a recipe I always recommend to college students because you can make it the day before and it's ready to go as soon as you catch a second to eat lunch!