If you have a child heading back to school, chances are you’re buying a new lunch box to go along with the new backpack and arsenal of school supplies. But if you’re slapping together a PB&J or a ham-and-cheese sandwich every day — week after week — someone is bound to get a little bored!
Try Back-to-School Basics… With a Twist
When your child grows tired of eating regular sandwiches, here are some easy alternatives. Instead of sliced bread, opt for sweet dinner rolls, croissants or bagels. Almost any sandwich can also be turned into a wrap. You can create turkey wraps with tortillas and pesto, or wrap sliced ham around a cheese stick. Pita bread halves, which form a pocket, are another portable and convenient sandwich option. Use them to make an avocado BLT or stuff them with apples and goat cheese.
Italian is Always a Great Idea
If you’re craving Italian, you can make mini pizza stacks by packing crackers, tortillas or English muffins with mozzarella cheese and sliced pepperoni or Canadian bacon. Stromboli is a great way to roll together the idea of a sandwich and a pizza, filled with cheese, meat and vegetables like tomatoes and spinach. Or break the sandwich monotony by using an insulated container to keep soup and Italian favorites like spaghetti and ravioli warm until lunchtime.
Fun Food Tastes Better
Food on a stick is fun (and often gluten free). Chicken, beef or sausage skewers can easily be made with leftovers and fresh cheese cubes. Veggie and fruit kebabs are both fun and healthy. Bento box containers are another fun and functional way to create DIY lunch kits at home. Fill them with finger foods such as sliced deli meat, cheese, crackers, pretzels, fruit and more.
Get Creative with Salads
Salads are great for lunch, and there are plenty of options beyond green leaf salads. For extra protein, try chicken salad or tuna salad. Make a filling quinoa salad by mixing meats, cheeses, and veggies and a vinaigrette dressing into plain quinoa. An orzo chicken salad with feta cheese and toasted pine nuts is delicious at room temperature. And cold noodle salads can be made with soba or plain udon noodles.
Don’t Forget Fruits, Veggies and Other Snacks
Once you have the main part of your lunch packed, think of alternatives to a bag of chips. Consider packing yogurt-covered pretzels, chocolate raisins, popcorn, hard-boiled eggs, applesauce or mini breadsticks with a chocolate and hazelnut spread for dipping. For fruit options beyond bananas, grapes and strawberries, try sliced mango, cubed melon, cinnamon-sprinkled apple slices, clementines, pear slices or watermelon. If you prefer vegetables, try celery with peanut butter or cream cheese. Also, baby carrots, sliced cucumbers, snap peas, sliced bell peppers and broccoli can all be dipped in ranch or hummus.
This school year, try some new ideas! Add variety to what you pack for lunch by including options that are both healthy and delicious for even the pickiest eaters.
