Four Healthy and Easy School Lunches

Tired of giving the kids the same old lunch? Want to give your kids the energy they need to make it through the day with a healthy lunch? According to the USDA, studies have shown that if you equip your children with healthy food to eat at school, they will be better prepared to study and learn.

These kid-friendly lunches will not only make life easier, they’ll become new family favorites. These easy, quick and healthy lunch ideas are sure to satisfy the whole family and even picky eaters. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

1. Wraps

Wrap up a dip, a protein and some vegetables in a whole-wheat tortilla. Possibilties for dips include mashed beans, hummus, low-fat or fat-free cream chesse. For protein you can use lean meats like turkey and chicken breast or baked tofu. Vegetables like avocado, carrot, cucumber or pepper sticks can add a the finishing touches for flavor.

2. Turkey Sandwiches

Turkey Sandwich on whole-wheat bread with lettuce, tomato and avocado. Don’t forget to add your fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables to go include:

• Fruits: oranges, tangerines, plums, sliced apples, sliced nectarine, melon cubes, sliced kiwi, dates, sliced pear, strawberries
• Vegetables: sugar snap peas, sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, celery sticks, carrot sticks, roasted potatoes, roasted carrots, roasted sweet potato, blanched broccoli, steamed green beans

3. Cold Asian Noodles

Cold Asian noodle salad is easy, fast and filling with noodles, vegetables, sliced chicken breast and an Asian dressing such as sesame vinaigrette.

4. Brown Rice and Beans

Brown rice and beans with avocado and salsa (make enough for a few days or use leftovers from last night’s dinner)

On days when you feel like adding something extra, include a hidden surprise such as a seashell, sticker, flower, rock, cartoon or a note from you. Going the extra mile to choose a cool lunch box can make all the difference when encouraging you child to adopt healthy eating habits.

Source:

“USDA School Meals: Healthy Meals, Healthy Schools, Healthy Kids.” www.usda.gov/. February 16, 2012