Schools
5 Easy School Lunch Ideas That Are Healthy, Too
Colorful and bite-size fresh fruit and veggies are not only fun to eat they are healthy – rich in anti-oxidants, nutrients and vitamins.
By Linda Hersey
If you pack your kids' school lunch, it's easy to slip into a rut or routine that is more convenient than healthy.
So before you buckle under to kid pressure and grab a high-sodium School Lunchable, consider these five easy steps to a healthy school lunch that youngsters will love.
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These tips come from local writer Judy Gray, who offered this back-to-school column on Patch: "Pack a Healthy & Fun School Lunch."
1.) Rainbow of Colors: Colorful and bite-size fresh fruit and veggies are not only fun to eat they are healthy – rich in anti-oxidants, nutrients and vitamins. Cut grapes, strawberries, kiwi and other fun fruit. Baby carrots and cucumbers are fun to dip in salad dressing.
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3.) Protein packs a punch: Instead of processed lunch meat, consider peanut, almond and even sunflower butter for sandwiches. Think of yogurt, too, which can be used for dipping veggies or fruit. Check labels and avoid high fructose corn syrup.
4.) Nut allergies? No problem: Try tuna fish, beans for tacos or on tortillas or cheese, which kids love. There are many lunchbox-friendly cheeses out there, from cheese strings to wedges.
5.) What to drink?: Milk is a healthy choice. There also is tasty almond milk, cocoanut milk or cocoanut water, or water. A cool thermos of water will keep other lunch box ingredients chilled!
Here are some quick lunchbox fillers from Judy Gray:
- Chicken cubes paired with grapes, almonds slices, and Craisins.
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