Healthy Lunches For Kids

We all know how difficult it can be to make healthy food for our kids that they will actually eat, but for some reason lunch seems to be the hardest. Prepared school meals are often a very unhealthy choice for kids as they have little nutritional value therefore leaving kids without the proper nutrition to learn, play, and grow. Kids also love to help make their lunches when they can. You might try making the lunches the night before with them and have things all organized in separate containers so they can choose which item to take in their lunch bags the next day. I put together 5 very easy to make and health lunches for kids that have worked for me.

Lunch Idea #1

The Wrapped Roll
-spread lite cream cheese on a whole wheat tortilla, sprinkle on cheese, add some turkey or add slices and some avocado or other tasty vegetable and roll up sideways. Cut into about 1 ½ slices.

Pasta Salad
-start with whole wheat colorful cooked pasta noodles and add lite Italian dressing, throw in some olives and parmesan cheese.

Fruit Salad
-balled melons and sliced peaces are perfect for the summer months.

Lunch Idea #2

Smiley Faced Bagel
-Half bagel with lowfat cream cheese, slices of ham (if you think they would like smoked salmon you can do that instead), add some raison eyes and a slice of red onion for the mouth for a smily treat.

Pan-fried Potatoes Alices with Garlic and Herbs
-use real potatoes, cut up in slices, cook on low in olive oil, add a dash of garlic and some additional flavorful herbs (my son actually likes his a bit spicy so I add a little Cheyenne) and cook until crispy on the outside and soft in the middle.

Applesauce
-organic applesauce or no sugar added applesauce (you can buy these in small containers even at the local grocers)

Lunch Idea #3

Peanut Butter and Honey Pita Pocket Sandwich
-slice a whole wheat pita in half and smear peanut butter and a bit of honey inside.

Sliced Mango
-you can use fresh or frozen

Coleslaw salad
I use the prepackaged fresh coleslaw mix (without the dressing- just chopped up lettuce and cabbage, but you could easily do it your self or with a shredder) and toss on a few vegetables and some light dressing or you can make your own dressing as I do (recipe below):
1 c. fat free sour cream
2 tbsp. vinegar
2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. salt

Lunch Idea #4

Rice Cakes with Light Mayo, Basil and Tomatoes
-Spread the mayo on top the plain rice cake and add fresh slices tomatoes and fresh basil. I have add mozzarella cheese and toasted it in the toaster over for a few minutes to make it melt on top (de-lish)

Sweet Potatoe Treats
-cube pieces of sweet potatoes, drizzle with olive oil and bake in the over for about 15-20 min. Sprinkle with a bit of sugar and continue to bake until they are cooked. *Depending on how small they are cubed, they make not take too long.

Lunch Idea #5

Bean and Cheese Burritto
-Layer a whole wheat tortilla with warmed up no fat refried beans and sprinkle a little shredded cheese on top. Roll up from bottom once on each end, then on the side to complete the burrito. Depending on your childs tastes, you can serve this with salse or a little sour cream.

Rice with Tomatoes
-start with cooked Spanish rice and add some canned tomatoes (I use the tomatoes with chiles) and mix a small in with the rice.

Baked Apple
-Remove the core from the apple(s) and place in a pan with a bit of warm water. Cook for about 20 min or until soft (not mushy) and serve with some low fat or non fat plain yogurt and a sprinkle of brown sugar.

Hope they all enjoy!