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The number one reason why people hate to brown bag their lunches is because it seems like it is the “same old, same old”. And when you are faced with eating the same kind of ham sandwich every day, the temptation to make a lunch run out to McDonalds or to go to a local restaurant is that much stronger. So variety is important!
So, in what ways can you vary up the brown bag routine? The same deli ham you bought on the weekend will seem different depending on how it is served… maybe whole wheat bread one day and a pita the next. Or cut up the ham and make a mini pizza with it instead. Sometimes something as simple as adding cheese or making it with mayo one day and sandwich spread the next can turn a boring sandwich into something new and exciting.
Think the same for the extras in the lunch. Switch up the juice you include. Or if you are sending veggies and dip, send ranch dip one day and nacho dip the next. The same goes for veggies too… if it’s carrots on Monday, make it broccoli on Tuesday and cucumbers on Wednesday.
Don’t forget to get input from your kids too… they might happily eat cauliflower with dip every day, rather than switching up with different types because all kids have veggies they love and veggies they would rather do without, and it is better to increase the odds that any veggies get into their tummies rather than discover that anytime you send carrots they end up in the garbage.
I’m not very creative when it comes to my lunches, but for me I eat a lot of Lean Cuisines and alternate with leftovers.