SNACKTIME: Back-to-School Sandwich Ideas

School is back in session, so get ready to fill that shiny, new lunchbox or those crisp, brown paper bags! Planning your child’s lunch can get monotonous after the first few weeks of school. Ditch the peanut butter and jelly, and spice up your child’s lunch with a few of these creative sandwich ideas!

 Fairy Sandwich courtesy of Kids Activities Blog

 Chicken Potpie Empanadas courtesy of Real Simple

 Sandwich Skewers courtesy of I Love My Disorganized Life

 Minion Sandwich courtesy of Eats Amazing

 Snowflake Sandwich courtesy of Eats Amazing

 Rocket Sandwich courtesy of Eats Amazing

 Roll-Ups courtesy of Martha Stewart

 Starfish Biscuit Sandwich courtesy of Martha Stewart

Visit Fairmont’s Snacktime Pinterest board for more great food ideas and meal tips!

Contributed by Rebecca Stokes, Fairmont Private Schools

Images by MarthaStewart.com, RealSimple.com, EatsAmazing.co.uk, ILoveMyDisorganizedLife.com, & KidsActivitiesBlog.com 

SNACKTIME when kids with food allergies visit your home

What do you do when your child's friend has serious food allergies? How do you prepare snacks and meals when kids with food allergies visit your home?

Food allergies are common—three million children, or about one in 13 kids under the age of 18, have at least one food allergy.  Your children may not have food allergies, but their friends might. Would you be able to meet the challenge and confidently serve food to children with food allergies? 

Here are some tips and guidance about food allergies and how to minimize the risk of exposure in your home.

   
Understanding Common Food Allergies

First of all, become familiar with the most common food allergies. This includes (but not limited to) peanuts and other nuts, seafood, such as shrimp, cow's milk, eggs, soy and wheat. Scrutinize labels for allergens.

Creating a Safe Environment to Help Avoid Potential Problems

Restrict eating to the kitchen or dining room only. Crumbs are likely to find their way onto carpets, furniture, counter-tops, toys and other surfaces. Everyone should wash their hands before and after eating to avoid the transfer of food allergens. Counter tops and tables should be scrubbed down after food preparation and after meals.  

To avoid cross contamination, make sure cutting boards, knives, slicers, spoons, measuring cups, mixing bowls and other food prep equipment (barbeque grills) are clean and free of allergens. Have separate sets of utensils for handling safe and unsafe foods.

Separate safe and unsafe food. Label either the foods with allergens or the safe ones — whichever is easier.

Beware of airborne allergens when cooking.  Keep a safe distance from the cooking area and allow the air to clear for 30 minutes afterward before entering the room. For young children, having fixed seating arrangements at the table is helpful in preventing little ones from sharing “tastes.”

Contributed by Leslie Kay-Getzinger, MS RD

Regional Dietitian for Nutrition Management Services Company 
Image Credit: DIY Health

LUNCHBOX june menu, edgewood

Summer is just around the corner! But Nutrition Management has lots of yummy meals planned before schools's out. Check out our June Preschool-1st Grade Menu and our June 2nd-8th Grade Menu to plan ahead. 

Contributed by Kim, Nutrition Management

LUNCHBOX june menu, citron

Summer is just around the corner! But Nutrition Management has lots of yummy meals planned before schools's out. Check out our June Menu to plan ahead. 

Contributed by Kim, Nutrition Management

LUNCHBOX june menu, mable

Summer is just around the corner! But Nutrition Management has lots of yummy meals planned before schools's out. Check out our June 1st-3rd Grade Menu and our June 4th-8th Grade Menu to plan ahead. 

Contributed by Kim, Nutrition Management

LUNCHBOX june menu, anaheim hills

Summer is just around the corner! But Nutrition Management has lots of yummy meals planned before schools's out. Check out our June Preschool-1st Grade Menu and our June 2nd-8th Grade Menu to plan ahead. 

Contributed by Kim, Nutrition Management

LUNCHBOX april menu, mable campus

Happy Spring! Check out our April 1st-3rd Grade Lunch Menu and our April 4th-8th Grade Lunch Menu to see all the yummy options Nutrition Management is offering this month.

Contributed by Kim, Nutrition Management

LUNCHBOX april menu, anaheim hills campus

Happy Spring! Check out our April Pre-1st Grade Lunch Menu and our April 2nd-8th Grade Lunch Menu to see all the yummy options Nutrition Management is offering this month.

Contributed by Kim, Nutrition Management

LUNCHBOX april menu, edgewood campus

Happy Spring! Check out our April Pre-1st Grade Lunch Menu and our April 2nd-8th Grade Lunch Menu to see all the yummy options Nutrition Management is offering this month.

Contributed by Kim, Nutrition Management

LUNCHBOX april menu, citron campus

Happy Spring! Check out our April Lunch Menu to see all the yummy options Nutrition Management is offering this month.

Contributed by Kim, Nutrition Management

LUNCHBOX february menu, anaheim hills

Nutrition Management has lots of fun lunches planned in February! Check out our Preschool-1st Grade Lunch Menu and our 2nd-8th Grade Lunch Menu to plan ahead for the month.


Contributed by Kim, Nutrition Management 

LUNCHBOX february menu, citron

Nutrition Management has lots of fun lunches planned in February! Check out our February Lunch Menu to plan ahead for the month.

Contributed by Kim, Nutrition Management

LUNCHBOX february menu, mable

Nutrition Management has lots of fun lunches planned in February! Check out our 1st-3rd Grade Lunch Menu and our 4th-8th Grade Lunch Menu to plan ahead for the month.

Contributed by Kim, Nutrition Management

LUNCHBOX february menu, edgewood

Nutrition Management has lots of fun lunches planned in February! Check out our February Lunch Menu to plan ahead for the month.

Contributed by Kim, Nutrition Management

LUNCHBOX january menu, citron

Nutrition Management is kicking off the New Year with some healthy and fun meals! Check out our January Lunch Menu so you can plan ahead for the month. Happy New Year! 

Contributed by Kim, Nutrition Management

LUNCHBOX january menu, anaheim hills

Nutrition Management is kicking off the New Year with some healthy and fun meals! Check out our Preschool-1st Grade Lunch Menu and our 2nd-8th Grade Lunch Menu so you can plan ahead for the month. Happy New Year! 

Contributed by Kim, Nutrition Management

LUNCHBOX january menu, edgewood

Nutrition Management is kicking off the New Year with some healthy and fun meals! Check out our Preschool-1st Grade Lunch Menu and our 2nd-8th Grade Lunch Menu so you can plan ahead for the month. Happy New Year! 

Contributed by Kim, Nutrition Management

LUNCHBOX january menu, mable

Nutrition Management is kicking off the New Year with some healthy and fun meals! Check out our 1st-3rd Grade Lunch Menu and our 4th-8th Grade Lunch Menu so you can plan ahead for the month. Happy New Year! 

Contributed by Kim, Nutrition Management

LUNCHBOX december menu, edgewood

The holiday season is just around the corner, and Nutrition Management is celebrating with some yummy lunch options! Check out the Preschool-1st Grade Lunch Menu and the 2nd-8th Grade Lunch Menu to plan ahead for the month of December. Happy Holidays everyone! 

Contributed by Kim, Nutrition Management

LUNCHBOX december menu, mable

The holiday season is just around the corner, and Nutrition Management is celebrating with some yummy lunch options! Check out the 1st-3rd Grade Lunch Menu and the 4th-8th Grade Lunch Menu to plan ahead for the month of December. Happy Holidays everyone! 

Contributed by Kim, Nutrition Management