Where did summer go? I can’t believe that school is already starting! I usually pack lunch for my son Tim to take to school, and even though peanut butter and jelly is his mainstay, sometimes he likes to mix it up. Here are a few Tim-tested favorites – see if they make the grade with your kids!
Turkey roll-up: Wrap a slice (or two) of turkey around a light string cheese stick.
Toss It Together Salad: Combine lettuce, shredded carrots, grape tomatoes, cooked and cubed chicken breast and a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese. Send with low-fat ranch dressing in a separate container.
Souper Soup: To keep soup hot, swirl the thermos with boiling water, dump it out, then add hot soup. Tim loves the homemade chicken rice soup that I make but in a pinch, I heat up canned reduced-sodium soups (minestrone and tomato soup are favorites), and send it along with whole-grain crackers.
Build-Your-Own Lunch: A less expensive, do-it-yourself version of prepackaged lunch packs. Simply fill small containers with a variety of finger foods. One of Tim’s favorite lunches includes cracker sandwiches (whole-grain crackers, turkey or ham, and reduced-fat cheese cut into circles and sent in separate containers for him to “build” his sandwiches), along with grapes, baby carrots and dip, and mini-size cookies.
Do you have a favorite school lunch idea to share?