First Day of the Year Healthy Bento Lunch Idea

There’s something refreshing about the first day of a brand-new year. After weeks of holiday treats, late nights, and a schedule that seemed to disappear completely, I was ready to get our family back into a routine.

One of the easiest ways for me to start the year off right is by packing Peyton a healthy lunch that I know she’ll actually enjoy eating. A balanced lunch helps her stay energized throughout the day, and it gives me peace of mind knowing she’s eating foods she loves instead of bringing everything home untouched.

A Peanut Butter & Jelly Favorite

If there’s one thing that has never changed over the years, it’s Peyton’s love of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. While I may get a little tired of making the same sandwich several mornings a week, she certainly doesn’t get tired of eating it!

To keep things fun, I like using cookie cutters to shape her sandwiches. Since it was the middle of winter, I chose our snowman cookie cutter, which fit perfectly inside her Bentgo lunch box. It’s such a simple touch, but making lunch look fun often makes it even more enjoyable to eat.

Fresh Fruit for a Bright Start

To add some color and freshness, I packed one of Peyton’s favorite fruits—fresh strawberries.

Even during the winter months, I can usually count on Byerly’s for beautiful strawberries. They added a bright pop of color to the lunchbox while giving Peyton a serving of fresh fruit to enjoy with her sandwich.

The Cheese She Actually Eats

I learned an interesting lesson when it comes to cheese.

For the longest time I assumed Peyton simply loved cheese. Then one week I ran out of Babybel cheese and substituted cubes of cheddar instead. Every afternoon those cheese cubes came home untouched.

The next time I packed a Babybel, it disappeared.

Sometimes kids just have their favorites, and for Peyton, Babybel cheese wins every single time.

A Better Yogurt Choice

Another lunchbox staple in our house is Noosa yogurt.

After reading more about the amount of added sugar and preservatives found in many yogurts marketed toward kids, I decided to make the switch. I love that Noosa uses whole milk, honey, and fruit puree, and Peyton absolutely loves the rich, creamy texture.

For this lunch I packed Strawberry Rhubarb Noosa yogurt, which paired perfectly with the fresh strawberries.

Every Lunch Needs a Little Treat

While I try to focus on nutritious foods, I also believe there’s nothing wrong with including a small treat now and then.

For this lunch, I tucked in two Hershey’s Hugs. They’re just enough chocolate to make lunchtime feel a little extra special without going overboard.

Starting the Year on the Right Foot

This lunch may be simple, but it includes everything I look for when packing Peyton’s lunch:

• Peanut butter and jelly snowman sandwich
• Fresh strawberries
• Babybel cheese
• Strawberry Rhubarb Noosa yogurt
• Two Hershey’s Hugs

It was the perfect way to kick off the first day of the year with a lunch that was colorful, balanced, and filled with foods I knew Peyton would actually eat.

If you’re looking for easy bento lunch inspiration, remember that it doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes packing your child’s favorite foods in a fun presentation is all it takes to make lunchtime something they’ll look forward to every day.