National Pack Your Lunch Day on March 10 encourages everyone across the country to take their lunch to work, school or where ever they’re spending the day. It’s an opportunity to revitalize lunchtime with fresh and healthful meal choices.

Packing your lunch has benefits you may not expect. One of the immediate benefits is savings. Many home-prepared lunches cost less than ordering off the take-out menu or eating out. Another benefit of making your own lunch is controlling portion sizes and ingredients. By adding fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your lunches, they will be healthier, too. 

  • Mickey Mouse was the first licensed character to appear on a lunchbox in 1935.
  • The 1950 Hopalong Cassidy lunchbox was the first lunchbox based on a television show.

While some foods pack well for lunch, others don’t fare so well. If you’re new to packing lunches, check out this starter list:

  • Hardboiled egg – provides a serving of protein
    • peeled and placed in a separate container
  • Fresh vegetables – choose a dipping sauce like ranch or balsamic vinegar
    • carrots sticks, celery sticks, sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes
  • Whole fruit – apple, orange, banana, grapes, berries
  • Yogurt – provides a serving of dairy
  • Salad – prepared with deli meats of your choosing
    • place dressing in a separate container
  • Cheese
  • Crackers
  • Nuts

You will want to include a gel pack to keep your food chilled until lunchtime, even if you’re reheating leftovers. 

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HOW TO OBSERVE #PackYourLunchDay

Make a plan and a shopping list begin taking more lunches. You might be surprised how much you enjoy it. Bring a packed lunch to work, school or a friend’s house and use #PackYourLunchDay to post on social media.

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