School lunches can make life easier, but they can also get expensive. The food choices are often unhealthy and not what parents would choose to serve a child. Children who are picky eaters won’t eat many of the foods they’re served. Children who carry lunch bags to school will have more control over their menu and will be more likely to eat the packed foods. Here are a few suggestions for healthy lunchbox items that kids will love:
Fresh Fruit
Fruit is a healthy alternative to the items served in a school. Include children when shopping and let them pick out fruits they like. Bananas, apples, and grapes are very portable. Cherry tomatoes, pineapple chunks, and kiwi can be cut up and put into small bags or reusable containers. Fruits in a variety of flavors can now be found in single-serving cups. A child can choose from a large selection of basic fruit, mixed fruit, or seasoned and colored applesauce.
Burritos
Combine a flour tortilla with a child’s favorite burrito fixings and he’ll have a unique and tasty treat. Offer chicken, ground beef, shredded pork or steak, refried beans, lettuce, cheese, sour cream and salsa. Let him combine his favorite foods into a personalized burrito. Make sure to place in ice pack into the lunch pack to keep the burrito cool. If a child’s school offers the use of a microwave, he can heat the burrito for a minute or two. Otherwise the burrito will be just as tasty served cold.
Sandwiches and Wraps
Most children like sandwiches and wraps, as long as they have some say in what type of sandwich and wraps they are. Chicken salad, tuna salad, and ham salad can be served in a tortilla shell as well as on sliced bread. Add lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise, based on the child’s preferences. Turkey, ham, and cheese can also be served up on bread or in a tortilla. Add your child’s favorite toppings and condiments for a personalized touch. Again remember to use a cold pack to keep the meats and mayo in the wraps cold and at a safe temperature.
Salads
While salads might seem like a strange choice for a child’s lunch, more children than ever are learning to enjoy them. Use a mix of salad greens for a healthier option. Keep the wet ingredients in separate containers so the rest of the items don’t get soggy. Shredded carrots, pieces of cucumber, chopped up hard boiled eggs and cheese are easy toppings. Salad dressing can now be found in single-serving containers at most stores. Recipes for homemade dressing can be found online and in most cookbooks. Favorite dressings can be placed in small, re-usable containers. A cold pack will keep the salad crisp and fresh until time to eat.
Snack Mix
Children love to eat mix-and-match type snack items as a meal. Any types of finger foods will work well for this lunch choice. Small individual bags filled with cheese, crackers and lunch meats will offer a nice variety of foods for a school lunch alternative. Other options might include granola, string cheese, berries and cut vegetables served with small containers of dipping sauce. Quiche made in individual muffin cups and served with a side of grapes make a unique and easy-to-eat snack. Muffins and fruit provide yet another option.
A bit of time taken to pack the perfect lunch will ensure the brown bag meal is eaten and enjoyed.
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