Nostalgic Lunchbox Treats

Do you remember the days when the lunch bell rang, signaling the excitement of discovering the treasures hidden in your lunch box? Join me as I take a trip down memory lane, revisiting some items—some I’d rather forget—and the iconic snacks and treats that fueled my childhood adventures and satisfied my youthful cravings.

Growing up, I preferred a packed lunch because my mom would creatively use leftovers, offering a variety of delicious options. My favorite thing to find in my lunch was cold fried chicken and bread. I packed my lunch mainly for the cost savings. The strangest item I saw on the school menu was Jamaican Beef Patties, which I tried and still love to this day.

If I were to create a school lunch from scratch, it would include good protein, plenty of veggies, and essential fats. The ultimate school lunch menu would feature sushi and smoked salmon.

Packing school lunches and meal prepping as adults are similar in that both involve focusing on high protein and monitoring carbohydrates to ensure a well-balanced and nutritious meal. The lunch presentation is also important because we eat with our eyes.

Even though we’ve traded our lunch boxes for grown-up alternatives and our tastes have evolved over time, the nostalgia of those beloved treats still reminds us of the innocence and delight of youth. I hope you can find some classic favorites and discover new tempting treats every time you visit the Vitalia Westlake Bistro or Country Kitchen and that you never stop making culinary memories.