In most places in the country, the school year has already begun. The buses are moving, the kids are groaning, and a lot of moms and dads are filling lunch boxes every day to be sure their students have nutritious, yet filling, meals to get them through the day. Oh, and did we mention that nutritious and filling can also be yummy and healthy?
By the way, be sure that your kids remember that oral hygiene is important – not just for their health, but also so everything they find in those lunch boxes tastes better. Make sure they brush their teeth and clean their tongues with the TUNG Brush and Gel every day! Now, let’s get some ideas for those lunches 😊
Elvis Burrito
Most adults know that the “King”, Elvis Presley, LOVED peanut butter and bananas! Let your kids rock out with this twist on the classic. All it takes is some peanut butter, a banana, a touch of honey and some crumbled bacon.
Spread peanut butter (creamy is better) on a toasted whole-wheat wrap. (See? It’s already healthier than using processed white bread!). Sprinkle with some crumbled bacon then drizzle (don’t douse) with honey. You can either scatter the banana pieces and roll to make a burrito or you can place a whole banana at the edge, then roll to break up the banana and form a cylindrical burrito. Either way works.
Note: be sure your child’s school is not a “peanut-free zone” before you make this.
Cream Cheese Sandwiches
No, not just plain old cream cheese – why not add some other ingredients and use pita or whole wheat breads to keep the starches down and the flavors up? Here are a couple of ideas:
- Cream cheese and sliced tomato
- Cream cheese and sliced cucumber
- Cream cheese and thinly sliced salami
- Cream cheese and your child’s favorite jam (you can sugar free jars of most flavors)
Ham and Cheese Quesadillas
Spread some of your child’s favorite mustard on a whole wheat tortilla, then add slices of low salt ham and low sodium/low fat Jarlsberg cheese, topping it all off with a layer of baby spinach leaves. Fold over to enclose it all and either cook in a Panini press or in a hot skillet until the cheese has melted and the outside of the tortilla is golden brown. Let the quesadilla cool slightly then cut into triangular wedges and pack.
Remember to balance out these sandwich ideas by packing a side of sweet potato chips, baby carrots or grapes in the lunchbox, together with a healthy beverage and, go ahead, send a cookie along too.
Finally, if you really want to make your child smile, include a positive or encouraging note in their lunchbox to help them through the day! Nothing like a smiley face from Mom or Dad to help them face that math test or team tryout!
