Most parents want to send their kids to school with a well-balanced lunch, and teachers agree good meals are important for their education. Children can’t learn well if they don’t eat well, but the same old sandwiches, fruit, and chips can get boring after a while. Use these ideas to help spice up your kid’s lunch and get him or her excited about eating it.
Lettuce Wraps
Try lettuce wraps if you’re cutting back on carbs or your kids are just bored with bread. You can fill the leaves with teriyaki chicken, turkey, low-fat spreads, ham & cheese, or any other combination of foods. Mandarin oranges are a popular side item.
Arugula Pesto Pasta Salad
This is a twist on popular spaghetti and other pasta dishes that are often dependent on cream, butter, or tomato-based sauces. It can be paired with fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, apple slices, and side items like mini Babybel cheeses.
Twists on Sandwich Standbys
Of course, mornings and evenings are sometimes so busy that you only have time to make a sandwich—but you can still make it fun. Try sunflower butter and banana sandwiches instead of PB&J, or spice up turkey sandwiches by making pinwheels on whole wheat tortillas.
Fritters With Greek Yogurt
This healthy twist on fritters is made with whole wheat pancake batter, zucchini, and corn. Small amounts of Parmesan and scallions are added for flavor, and the Greek yogurt serves as a protein-packed dipping sauce.
Avocado, Carrot, and Cucumber Sushi
If your kids like Japanese food, they’ll love this idea. It’s made with toasted nori, tightly rolled vegetables, and low-sodium soy sauce for dipping.
Barbecue Chicken Sloppy Joes
Most kids love sloppy joes; this fun version will go over well. Toss shredded rotisserie chicken in barbecue sauce with carrots, adding cilantro or parsley for flavor. Serve with a whole-wheat bun.
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