Taking on Lunchables…

I am about to touch a nerve…

LUNCHABLES.

Let’s talk about them.

We can’t NOT mention Lunchables during our 14 Day Lunchbox Challenge, because I feel like they are the current lunch of choice.

They’re everywhere. And I mean everywhere. My boys Jed and Josiah say that the majority of kids who pack in for school bring Lunchables.

I know they’re convenient, and they’re kinda fun with their compartments and pizza flavors, tacos and nachos (And who wouldn’t like getting a toy or a cookie inside with a juice pack?)

But they’re not exactly powerhouses of nutrition.

I’m not gonna lie… I bought my first Lunchable ever today so I could write this blogpost.

And when I opened it up, I was kind of grossed out. The food doesn’t even LOOK pretty. There were no fruits or veggies. There was a sugary drink included (see our previous video all about sugary drinks).

The inside of a Lunchable… is that cheese even real? And the cookie is bigger than the meat!

AND… (I still can’t believe this part)… there were TWO OREO COOKIES.

I admit… I’ve always had a vendetta against Lunchables. I was so paranoid about my kids wanting them, that I bad-mouthed this food concept to them at an early age.

Call it early brain-washing.

(It was very effective. Now they think Lunchables are the devil and they won’t touch them).

So… what about this?….

How about making your own Lunchables instead?

It’s not hard. I took just 10 minutes today to assemble a few different homemade Lunchable ideas on my kitchen table. And I already think they look much yummier to eat. Just look at those colors!

Cherry tomatoes and sweet peppers, pickles, crackers and cheese curds, and salami. DIY Lunchable! BOOM!

And with the popularity of “Bento Boxes”, you can easily put these portions into the little compartments of these modern-day lunchboxes and achieve the same effect. (We don’t have a Bento Box, but I just use little mini containers and my boys can fit them into their lunchbag).

Today’s Challenge: Leave Lunchables behind for the remainder of the challenge and instead MAKE ONE DIY LUNCHABLE next week.

Prepare yourself: your kiddoes will FIGHT you on this one. Stay strong!

PS: Share a picture of your own homemade Lunchable and hashtag it #slfarmslunchbox.

Laura Zylka, CSA member, shared this picture during the Lunchbox Challenge, showing a “taco bar” DIY Lunchable.