Need school lunch ideas, STAT? Get these 9 healthy winners with Walmart's free pickup service

April 13, 2021 at 11:54 PM·5 min read

Yahoo Life is committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. We may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change. (Photo: Getty) — Get healthy goodies delivered right to your car or doorstep. (Photo: Getty Images)

Whether the kids in your life are in school, remote or both, one thing’s for sure: They're going to get hungry.

With all the things you have going on right now, making lunches for the week can feel like one more thing heaped onto your plate. But nutrition experts say it’s best to just keep it simple.

One of our favorite places to grab healthy options for a steal? Walmart. And now it's easier than ever to get the goods. The retailer just launched a genius Pickup & Delivery service that's so convenient, you might never step foot in a store again. And right now there's a deal: Get $10 off your first order with code WOWFRESH ($50 order minimum).

Nutritionists weigh in

Gina Keatley, a certified dietitian-nutritionist practicing in New York City, tells Yahoo Life that the rules of making a great school lunch are the same as pre-pandemic. Each lunch should include “some whole-grain starch for energy and fiber, lean protein to build strong bodies and provide some satiety, fruits and/or vegetables to provide some volume in the meal, a low-calorie or nutrient-dense beverage, and, of course, a little bit of joy.”

Due to the pandemic, there’s a huge emphasis this year on lunches kids can tackle themselves, registered dietitian Jessica Cording, author of The Little Book of Game-Changers, tells Yahoo Life. “The focus is on things that are single serving, easy for kids to open and don’t involve a lot of mess,” she says. While those elements can be helpful for maintaining social distancing for in-person learning, they can also be a perk if you’re busy working from home while your child is doing remote learning, Cording points out.

Prepping the night before can be a crucial time-saving move, Cording says, whether your child is doing remote or in-person learning. “You want to be ready to serve lunch quickly, regardless,” she says.

Picking up a bento box, which has compartments for different foods, is helpful, Keatley says. “Bento boxes are a great way to provide portion control as well as give parents a guideline for diversity,” she says.

Stock up

Check out Walmart's contactless offerings. Not only can you get applesauce pouches and guac minis delivered to your car or doorstep in a snap, you can score fresh groceries (yes, even produce, organic meat, Angus beef and more), batteries, toys, a gift for a friend, you name it.

Choose from various options. You can pick up from your local store for free (with a $35 order) and an associate will load stuff directly into your trunk. If you'd rather remain on the couch (don't blame you), pay just $7.95 for delivery. In a pinch? For an extra $10, use Express delivery and get your stuff in two hours or less.

Pack your pantry with snacks and fill your fridge with fruits, veggies and proteins. Having stuff easily on-hand allows you and your child to grab and go. Sounds like an A+ plan to us.

GoGo squeeZ YogurtZ

A yogurt pouch, like GoGo Squeez’s blueberry version, is a quick and easy meal to pack. With 4 grams of protein each, your child will fill up and be ready for the rest of the day. Pro tip: Pack it frozen, and it’ll thaw out by lunchtime.

Emerald Walnuts and Almonds Pack

Emerald’s unsalted packs of walnuts and almonds can add crunch to any lunch—and 3 grams of protein. (If your child is doing in-person learning, just check the school’s nut policy in advance.) Serve as a side with yogurt and fruit for a high-protein meal.

Amy’s Bean and Rice Burrito

Amy’s has a whole line of organic, quick-serve frozen meals, including this bean and rice burrito. Heat it up before your child goes to school or pop it in the microwave during remote lunchtime. You can slice it into pinwheels for a cool, bite-sized effect.

GoGo Squeez Applesauce

GoGo Squeez's easy-to-open applesauce pouches make it a snap for your child to get a fruit fix. Each packet contains 100 percent fruit, wrapped up in a fun package kids love diving into.

Ocean's Halo Seaweed Sea Salt Snack

Ocean’s Halo Seaweed Sea Salt snacks are a smart vegan, gluten-free alternative to chips. These healthy treats come in thin sheets that can easily fit into a lunchbox. Made with natural sea salt, they’re packed with vitamins like B12 and minerals like iodine.

RXBAR Vanilla Almond Butter Single Serve Packs

Those PB&J or nut butter crackers you made in advance can end up a soggy mess by lunchtime. RXBAR’s single serve nut butter packets allow your child to open them up and squeeze out the good stuff for max freshness when the moment is right. (If your kid is doing in-person learning, just check the school’s nut policy in advance.)