This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Dr. Dana Ellis Hunnes, a senior clinical inpatient dietitian at Ronald Reagan-UCLA Medical Center.
Transitioning back into the school routine after a laid-back summer can be daunting. The first week is usually a whirlwind of shopping for supplies, ensuring timely arrivals, and juggling after-school activities.
I strive to remain calm and avoid stress. There are countless things in life that can be stressful, but I remind myself that my child doesn’t need me to be perfect.
Balancing work and family life can be challenging. My husband and I both have demanding jobs and our 11-year-old son to manage. One strategy that helps us navigate the busy back-to-school season is simplifying our meals—prepping easy lunches and batch cooking dinners during the weekends.
This approach alleviates the weekday scramble of deciding what to have for dinner or what to pack for lunch.
My Go-To Lunches for Back-to-School
We follow a plant-based diet, and typical school lunches consist of a sandwich paired with a couple of snacks, such as hummus cups, avocado sushi, or trail mix.
For sandwiches, I often prepare:
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Hummus with lettuce or onion
- Avocado toast
The trail mix usually combines almonds and cashews, with a few chocolate chips and craisins (since my son isn’t fond of raisins). We sometimes opt for a large bag of trail mix from Costco for convenience.
It’s essential for us to keep healthy snacks at home, like easily peelable fruits and fruit-and-nut bars that our son can pack for school. We have plenty of grab-and-go options available.
About half the time, he opts for the school lunch out of boredom with our offerings, especially when the cafeteria has more exciting options like Impossible Burgers or Impossible Chicken. Although those options may be processed, he generally makes healthy choices, and I’m okay with that. Perfection isn’t the goal; meeting his needs is what matters.
My Top Three Items for Back-to-School
- Bento boxes with compartments for a sandwich and two snacks.
- Large casserole dishes for batch cooking on weekends, ensuring we always have leftovers ready to heat during the week.
- A digital calendar with reminders set for 30 to 60 minutes before events.
Favorite Dinners for Batch Cooking
One of our favorites is a tofu and black bean enchilada recipe my husband makes. It takes some time to prepare, so he often makes two large casserole dishes over the weekend, making it easy for us to simply reheat portions during the week.
We also use those dishes to prepare veggie lasagna, black bean burgers, falafel, and homemade veggie pizzas (loaded with vegetables). We often batch-make soups like chili, which are simple to heat and serve.
During the week, I make a substantial salad, combining lettuce with avocado, red onion, and either sweet elements like beets or savory additions like olives and other vegetables. The dressing is a mix of olive oil with balsamic vinegar or lemon juice, topped with pepper.
For dessert, we typically enjoy fruits, fruit popsicles, or occasionally vegan ice cream.
We try to avoid supplements for our son due to his diverse diet. Sometimes, we might recommend Vitamin D or B12, particularly since he consumes minimal animal products.
If your family’s diet leans heavily on processed foods, it might be prudent to explore supplementation.
Essential For Back-to-School: Time Management
In my younger days, I could effortlessly recall every appointment and activity. Now, with my son’s growing schedule, I rely on Google Calendar to keep track. If it isn’t in my calendar, I’m likely to forget.
I also set up notifications to remind me 30 to 60 minutes before events, like school pickups or sports practices. This gives me the time I need to avoid feeling rushed.
Allowing at least 30 minutes’ notice helps me transition smoothly from one task to another.
Ultimately, finding a rhythm for back-to-school will take time. It’s essential to be gentle with yourself; your child doesn’t need perfection—they just need you to be present and supportive.