Summer vacation will be coming to an end shortly and the streets will soon be dotted with yellow school buses heralding “back to school.” With that transition also comes lunchtime meal prep. Packing nutritious lunches that your kids will eat can be a daunting task, but don’t stress, y’all. I am here to help.
Let’s get those kiddos in the kitchen with you and get creative! Have some fun and don’t take on this task alone. Children are capable of helping you assemble their lunches. Start slowly by having them assist you a few days a week and soon they will love learning how to pack a healthy, delicious lunch.
But wait—there’s an added benefit here. When your young people are empowered to take responsibility for their lunch, they begin to learn about food and its important relationship to their developing bodies.
Here are some simple, yet creative lunch box suggestions:
• Spread almond butter on a multi-grain tortilla, then place assorted berries and banana around the tortilla. Drizzle with honey, then roll up.
• Spread creamy boursin cheese inside a whole wheat pita pocket, then fill with roast turkey slices, baby spinach and cucumber slices.
• Pack a container with avocados mashed with lemon juice; top with a layer of shredded Monterey Jack before sealing. Fill two, small whole wheat tortillas with shredded rotisserie chicken and sliced romaine lettuce and store in resealable plastic bags. Assemble at lunch.
• Thread skewers with grape tomatoes, cucumber chunks, cooked shrimp and toasted whole wheat bread cubes. Pack with pesto sauce for dipping.
• Toss diced, roast chicken breast with pesto, diced mozzarella and sugar snap peas. Place in an airtight container and pack with a whole wheat hot dog bun.
Here’s to your health!
