September. Back to school. One of the most common requests I hear from parents of school age kid...what ELSE can we pack for lunch? Sound familiar? In my house, we usually have a list of "go to" options for the lunch box. Kids can still have some choice, but parents don't have to become short order cooks at 6am....
Now, add in the complication of picky eaters, or kids that don't do meat.
Below are my top twenty-five choices for school lunches that are healthy options and (usually) get a thumbs up:
1. Sunbutter Sandwich on whole wheat with banana and celery sticks
2. Deviled Eggs with triscuits, mandarin orange and cherry tomatoes
3. Hummus with Pita Chips with sweet mini peppers and apple slices
4. Veggie Burger on whole grain bun with olives and grapes
5. Chicken & Rice soup with oyster crackers and grapefruit
6. Caesar Salad with croutons (on the side), hard boiled egg and strawberries
7. Black beans & Rice with side of salsa and applesauce
8. Broccoli and Pasta with a side of cherries
9. Rice bowl with salsa, avocado and edamame and side of blackberries
10. Salsa, Guacamole, Food Should Taste Good chips and pineapple
11. Peanut butter with sliced Granny Smith apple and Van's crackers
12. Hummus in a pita with cucumbers & mini pepper slices and apple
13. Chicken Chili in a thermos with cornbread and nectarine
14. Cheese quesadilla with (or without refried beans) and watermelon
15. Orzo pasta salad with feta cheese diced peppers & Greek dressing & craisins
16. Ham & Cheese rolled up with lettuce leaf and dried fruit mix
17. Chicken Salad with chopped apple & craisins and Wheat Thin crackers
18. Greek yogurt with Bear Naked granola and pineapple chunks
19. Tuna salad wrap with carrot sticks and blueberries
20. Dolmades with tzatziki with pita chips and orange sections
21. Cottage cheese with peaches, Kashi trail mix granola bar and cucumber slices
22. Cheddar cheese and whole wheat pretzels with grapes and olives
23. Almond butter with rice cakes and honeydew melon
24. Oat Banana Muffins with apple slices and grape tomatoes
25. Laughing cow cheese wedges with Crunchmaster crackers and peaches
When all else fails, order the school lunch!
