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Healthy Lunchbox Ideas


Posted by Heather J.

If you’re sending a kid off to school, or sending yourself off to work, don’t forget to pack a lunch! Bringing lunch from home will save you money, and usually calories, as opposed to eating out all of the time. Here are a few ideas for a healthy take-away lunch.

1. For variety, choose from whole wheat, multi-grain, or flax/oat bread for your sandwiches, or whole wheat bagels or pita bread.

2. instead of processed lunch meat, use a teriyaki marinated chicken breast or a grilled salmon fillet. When using lunch meat, choose lean varieties free of hormones, preservatives, and strange animal parts (hooves, etc.)

3. Stuff a whole wheat pita with chopped veggies, dark leafy greens, meat, and low fat cheese.

4. Prepare chopped apples, bananas, baby carrots, tomatoes, and/or grapes and bring along small cups of plain yogurt, peanut butter, or hummus.

5. Trail mix, either pre-mixed or a personally assembled assortment of nuts, dried fruits, and whole grain cereals makes a great snack or side item.

6. Pack kid-sized yogurts or cottage cheese.

7. For beverages, stick with milk or water. Organic milk and soy milk is sold in single-serving containers these days, both great for packing.

8. Whatever you do, pack enough to ensure that either you or your kid will avoid the vending machine!

 
Comments (1)
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The pita idea is wonderful. Jackie Kennedy used to keep trim with half a toasted pita spread with a tiny bit of butter and fresh dill. For comfort food, how about making your own lean and tasty meat loaf, adding in chicken or turkey, ground nuts, etc. and construcing a fabulous meatloaf sandwich? There are all kinds of dried, boxed fruits now on the market, if you aren't a raisin fan. Make your own coleslaw or carrot salad the night before with bags of pre-chopped veggies, make your own slaw dressing and add some black pepper and even some cinnamon! Try different nut butters as a spread and add chopped apples or pears. Try different waters for a gourmet touch. Stuff prunes with peanut butter or cream cheese. Olives are good stuffed with cheese or nuts, for a salt hit. I love those foil packs of tuna and salmon that keep the water to a minimum and freshness to a maximum. They even come with different marinades now! I always liked a fresh, crunchy pickle in my lunchbox. Apple sauce now comes in many varieties, with spices, different fruits and different textures, too. Don't forget veggie juices -- they add some vitamins to your meal. Celery stuffed with nut butters are a classic lunchbox favorite. If you have a food dehydrator, try drying veggies -- or pay the price at Whole Foods!
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