4 Back-To-School Meal Prep Hacks

Check out these meal prep hacks that will save you time and energy as you transition into the back-to-school routine!

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Whether you're a busy parent or student, getting into the back-to-school routine can feel stressful and overwhelming. With new routines, daily meals, and homework to manage, it can get pretty hectic. One way to make this transition easier is to develop time-saving meal prepping skills, so you can have grab-and-go healthy lunches and snacks ready throughout the school year. Check out some convenient meal prepping hacks below to keep busy bellies nourished and help you save time and energy:

1. Plan Your Meals

Starting a new school week can be a breeze with a bit of meal planning. Grab a weekly meal planner, like my FREE digital weekly meal planner set, , and jot down your menu ideas for the week. Begin by selecting one main course for lunch, a snack choice, and a fruit and/or veggie option to build a balanced lunchbox. For instance, a turkey and hummus wrap for the main course, a side of carrots and dip, and a snack-size bag of whole grain crackers make for a well-rounded meal.

If you're a parent, consider involving your kids in choosing their food options for the week. Once your list is complete, you can head to the grocery store and start prepping your meals. This method not only ensures balanced meals but also saves time and reduces stress during the busy school week.

2. Create A Weekly Snack Station

If you have some free counter space or a shelf in the fridge, setting up a mini grab-and-go snack station can be a game changer. For example, you can use small baskets on the counter labeled for fruit, snack bars, and crackers. In the fridge, place yogurt, string cheese, and pre-sliced veggie cups on a visible shelf.

This way, parents can let their kids easily pack their own snacks, and students can conveniently grab their snacks on-the-go. Update the items each week based on your budget and preferences to keep things fresh and exciting.

3. Make Ahead Freezer Sandwiches

Save time and effort by prepping sandwiches in advance and freezing them for the week. Some ideal options for freezing include peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chicken salad club sandwiches, and egg and cheese English muffin sandwiches. Once your sandwiches are prepped, place 1-2 in an airtight baggie, labeled with the sandwich type. These grab-and-go options will conveniently thaw by lunchtime

4. Build Your Own Lunchables

Create your own homemade lunchables by filling sections of a bento box(click this link for 15% off your purchase) with nourishing finger foods. Choose items from each food group to create a balanced meal. Select 1-2 proteins, 1 grain, 1 vegetable, 1 fruit, and a dessert.

For students, this is a quick and easy lunch that takes just a few minutes to prepare. For parents, it’s a fun way to get your kids involved in meal planning. Provide your kids with a list of categorized food options, and let them circle their choices for their lunchable.

To get started, check out my No-Cook Lunch Bento Box recipe or explore these lunchable ideas:

1. Mediterranean Lunchable:

Grain: Whole Grain pita slices

Veggies + dip: Hummus + bell pepper slices

Protein: Lemon garlic chicken strips

Fruit: Grapes

Dessert: Mini muffin

2. Veggie Pizza Lunchable:

Grain: Whole wheat english muffin

Protein: Shredded mozerella cheese

Dip/sauce: Tomato sauce

Veggies: Mushroom and baby spinach

Fruit: orange

Dessert: banana and oat cookie

3. Fiesta Lunchable

Grain: Seasoned brown rice

Protein: Lean ground beef , shredded chicken or black beans and cheese

Veggies & dip/sauce: corn, cucumber, and tomato salad and salsa

Fruit: mango chunks

Dessert: Small chocolate chip muffin

Hungry for more information ? Check out my previous posts below!

Let's connect! Share some your favorite back-to-school recipes on Instagram with the hashtag #doseofnutrition