It’s that time of year again. The air is getting a bit crisper, those big yellow school buses are driving around in the mornings, and suddenly you’re wondering, “Where did the summer go?”

If you find yourself eating the same meal every day, or if your child is bringing home most of their lunch from school, it might be time to switch things up.

Don’t Be Boring

Give yourself some variety in your meals. Preparing easy lunches for yourself or your family each week can streamline your morning routine and make you look forward to lunchtime.

• Consider making an “adult Lunchable.” It might sound silly, but who doesn’t enjoy the variety that Lunchables offer?
• The Bentgo Classic lunchbox is perfect for creating an adult Lunchable. It’s various compartments, stackable design, and utensil holders allow you to pack a variety of proteins, fruits, vegetables, and even a sweet treat, all in one lunchbox. Without making a mess.

Protein Prep

Keep lunchtime simple. It should be a time for everyone to decompress from work or school, chat with friends, or have a mental break from the day. Most importantly, enjoy what you’re eating. Including protein in your lunch not only helps with muscle building, but is also key to healthy hair, skin, and nails.

Keep in mind, if you’re preparing something on a roll, bread, or tortilla wrap, prep the filling and store it in a separate container.

Try preparing a chicken salad wrap:

• Use leftover chicken, a rotisserie chicken, or any type of chicken you like. In a large bowl, shred your cooked chicken, chop up celery, add sun-dried tomatoes and green onions, grate a carrot, and zest a lemon. Chop spinach to your liking and mix everything well in the bowl.
• Portion out 1 to 1½ cups of the chicken salad into a separate prep container. Glass containers are great for preparation and cleaning.

Not a fan of chicken? Try a steak fajita bowl:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add half of a sliced yellow onion and 2 chopped bell peppers. Season to your liking and cook until the vegetables are tender.
• In a separate pan, heat the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil and add 1 pound of thinly sliced skirt steak. Season with salt, pepper, half of a lime, ½ teaspoon of chili powder, and ½ teaspoon of cumin. Cook until the steak is browned and cooked through.
• Once your steak and vegetables are cooked, divide everything into your containers. Start with a base of 4 cups of cooked white or brown rice, then top with the cooked vegetables, sliced steak, 1 sliced avocado, 1 cup of black beans, and 1 cup of corn.

Love to Snack?

When you find yourself getting hungry throughout the day and reaching for that Snickers bar you bought at the gas station, swap it out for a better alternative. Look for snacks that are high in fiber-rich carbohydrates.

Carbs are not always your enemy! They provide the energy you need during the afternoon slump. Consider these fiber-rich carbohydrate snacks:

• Whole-grain crackers
• Popcorn, like Skinny Pop
• Pita Chips, like Stacy’s Pita Chips
• Tortilla Chips, like Zack’s Organic

The snacking doesn’t need to end here. Incorporate your favorite fruits and vegetables to give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs. Here are some great additions to your lunch:

• Berries like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries
• Celery, which is great for dipping. Try pairing it with peanut butter or a low-fat ranch dressing.

• Cherry tomatoes
• Cucumber slices
• Apple slices, which are delicious by themselves or with peanut butter.

You Deserve a Sweet Treat

After all the meal prepping and long work weeks, it’s only fair to give yourself a little treat. No meal is complete without dessert. Here are some sweet lunchtime options:

• If you love peanut butter cups, try SkinnyDipped Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.
• Looking for an alternative to cookies? Try simplyFUEL Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls.
• For chocolate lovers, be sure to try IQBAR Brain and Body Plant Protein Bars.
• If you want to avoid the hassle of deciding on a dessert, the SkinnyDipped Faves Variety Pack is perfect for you.

Make your lunch break something you look forward. Lunchtime doesn’t have to be an afterthought. It can be the highlight of your day.

With a little creativity and preparation, you can turn boring, repetitive meals into fresh, exciting experiences that nourish both body and mind. Whether you’re building an adult Lunchable, trying out a new protein-packed recipe, or treating yourself to a guilt-free dessert, these simple changes can transform your midday routine.

So, switch things up. Fuel your body with balanced ingredients, and fall in love with lunchtime all over again.