The back-to-school season can be overwhelming. Between school supply shopping and juggling extracurricular activities, preparing healthy meals often falls through the cracks. And who can blame you?
Making nutritious, well-balanced meals doesn’t have to be another daunting task on an already long to-do list. This school year, it’s easier than ever to give your children the nutrition they need to stay energized throughout the day. Here are some easy (emphasis on EASY) breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes you can make with quality ingredients, including some of our favorites from Simple Mills!
Healthy breakfast ideas
The first meal of the day often sets the standard for the rest of it. Instead of reaching for a sugary cereal – or worse, ditching breakfast altogether – try these simple, nourishing recipes that will keep your family members full for hours:
Savory Cream “Cheese” Cracker Bites
In all their carb-loaded glory, bagels are a fan-favorite in many households. Though, due to their extra-large portion size, they’re not very convenient (or healthy, for that matter) to enjoy for breakfast before school or work. Plus, overly processed varieties can even make you feel more tired post-meal. For a light, yet filling, breakfast option, reach for Simple Mills Everything Sprouted Seed Crackers. They’re made with wholesome ingredients and taste great with a shmear of dairy-free cream cheese and sliced cherry tomato.
Sweet Banana-Nutter Cracker Bites
If you or your kiddos prefer a sweeter wakeup call, try Simple Mills Original Sprouted Seed Crackers and spread on some nut butter and sliced banana. Enjoy both options with a serving of fresh fruit and sliced avocado for a well-rounded breakfast rich in and fiber and protein.
Easy lunch ideas for school
A balanced lunch has the power to give your child the energy boost they need to power them through the rest of their day – including their after-school homework session! Here’s what’s on the menu:
Sun-Dried Tomato-Basil Cracker Sandwiches
Crunchy whole-food crackers, again, can make a great addition to most meals – especially when they’re topped with protein- and fiber-rich picks. For lunch, add a layer of hummus to a nutritious cracker, like Simple Mills Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Almond Flour Crackers. Top with a sprinkle of hemp seeds and diced cucumbers, carrots, peppers or sprouts. This is a great snack to enjoy before or after their main lunch entrée.
Pesto Veggie Pizza
This recipe requires a little bit of meal prep (don’t be alarmed – it takes minutes!), but it’s SO worth it because it eliminates the need to rush in the mornings to pack lunches for the family.
When it comes to meal prepping, it’s important to make dishes that excited you. And let’s face it, who doesn’t get excited about pizza? With a quality crust like one made with Simple Mills Gluten-Free Almond Flour Pizza Dough Mix, you’ll already have the foundation to create a healthy, mouthwatering veggie pizza! Select one day to prepare lunch pizzas and then separate the slices into several food storage containers to be enjoyed for lunch throughout the week.
Craving variety? Swap marinara sauce for a delicious pesto and top with sliced tomatoes, spinach, artichoke hearts and black olives. Better yet, allow your child to help decide which veggies to include!
If your sous chef tends to be on the picker side, a great way to hide those nutritious veggies is to cook or blend them into the sauce! Use an immersion blender to hide chunks of cauliflower and mushrooms and voila! Your little one will have veggies for lunch without the fuss, plus a full tummy to boot!
Family dinner ideas
Like lunch, your dinner meal is best considered ahead of time. Focus on making large batches at one time to minimize hours of slaving over the stove later on. A great meal to prepare in bulk is chili.
Vegan Three-Bean Superfood Chili
This meal can be as elaborate or as simple as your family prefers. For a kick of spice, crush Simple Mills Jalapeno Sprouted Seed Crackers in large chunks to garnish your bowls. For another flavorful option without a bite, try the Garlic Herb variety.