With the rising cost of pre-made purchased food, it is becoming increasingly difficult to provide healthy, cost-efficient lunches for your children to take to school and yourselves to take to work. So, here is a list of creative lunch ideas to not only help with the above difficulties, but to also provide you with a variety of options to keep lunch from getting boring. I will also try to provide recipes for those which are not self-explanatory.
The Basic Lunch Pack:
First, let me begin by listing the five basic ingredients to any healthy, enjoyable lunch:
The Main Course: This is the most important element of any meal and should include enough protein and carbohydrates to keep you going, even if the rest of the lunch is overlooked. I tell my kids, "Eat the sandwich and fruit first and then you can have whatever else you want after that. (The drink can be had whenever.)"
Something "Green": This does not literally have to be something green, but it should be something healthy that grows on a plant--a piece of fruit or sliced vegetables--not chips!
Something To Drink: Water is, of course, always an option; however, you can buy flavored waters in serving sizes. Also, juice boxes are widely available, or you may be able to locate serving size milk; however, these need to be kept cool--either by refrigeration or an ice pack. To keep costs down, send a reusable water bottle with water or homemade iced tea.
Something Snacky: I don't mind giving my kids chips, but there are lots of snacks out there that have less salt and fat, such as pretzels, popcorn, crackers, cereals, granola bars, etc. Be creative. The idea, though, is to provide something crunchy to supplement the main course and fruit.
Something Sweet: Though you probably don't want to fill your kids up with sugar on a regular basis, there are sweet treats that are not too bad and also encourage the kids to finish their meal so they can get to "the good stuff". I usually throw in a granola bar, fruit snacks or a fruit roll-up. I try to avoid cookies and candy, but I'm not a Nazi about it and after Halloween will let them take a couple pieces. (Which keeps me from eating it.)
Extras: Don't forget the napkin, ice pack or plastic utensils, as needed. And, once in a while, it might be nice to throw in a little note that says, "I Love You!" (Unless, of course, you're making your own lunch. ...'Cause that would be weird.)
Main Courses:
Meat Sandwiches of any kind: ham, turkey, chicken, tuna, beef, pork; try to add as much to these as you can: tomatoes, cheese, lettuce, sprouts, bell peppers, etc. Use whole-wheat bread as much as possible, but for variety give them a couple of mini sandwiches made with rolls or biscuits, or use a croissant. You can also make a couple of mini-sandwiches from leftover rolls or biscuits for a new twist.
Vegetarian Sandwiches: egg salad, cucumber & tomato, cheese, peanut butter & jelly, etc. Again, try to add a variety of items: tomatoes, cheese, lettuce, egg slices, shredded carrot, sprouts, bell peppers, rolls or croissants--get creative! Keep in mind that pb&j's, while full of protein, have lots of sugar and fat. Avoid letting this be a daily meal.
Baked Sandwiches: ham & cheddar cheese, cheddar cheese & black beans, turkey & swiss, or beef and monterey jack. Get creative! These can be made in a sandwich maker, on a griddle or toasted in a pan in the morning. It's okay if they do not stay warm; they're good cold, too. Allow them too cool, though, before putting them in the baggie or they'll get soggy.
Gourmet Sandwiches:
Wraps: Warm a flour tortilla and then fill with:
chicken strips, tomatoes, romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese and Caesar dressing;
taco meat, cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomatoes;
beef lunchmeat, cheddar/monterey jack, lettuce and tomatoes;
shredded beef, cheddar cheese, peas and banana peppers;
turkey lunchmeat or leftover pieces, swiss cheese, lettuce and tomato;
ham, swiss cheese and chopped broccoli
Popovers: Click on link for the recipe. These are very creative and delicious lunch ideas. They can be filled with turkey, chicken, tuna or beef salad, egg salad or lunchmeat and cheese. Just be sure to pack the popover separately from the salad, so they don't get soggy.
Snacker Combos: As long as there is enough of these to make up the equivalent of a sandwich, you're okay.
Cheese slices and Crackers (I also add slices of lunchmeat and banana peppers.)
Boiled eggs and Cheese slices
Lunchmeat and Cream Cheese Rolls (You can use cream cheese to get them to stick and put a baby carrot or piece of celery in the center. Secure with a toothpick.)
Crackers and Spreads (Cheese or pesto spreads or tuna or any kind of meat or egg salad can be packed in a separate container to be used as a spread. You can also give them leftover biscuits instead of crackers. Don't forget the plastic knife or spoon!)
Vienna Sausages & Cheese Squares
Leftovers: If you have the benefit of a microwave where you work or go to school, make use of those leftovers in your refrigerator.
Salads: Be sure to include enough toppings to make these both filling and healthy. Just a bowl of lettuce and a couple of grape tomatoes won't cut it. Consider adding any of the following: tomatoes, cheeses--any kind, boiled eggs, peas, shredded or baby carrots, fresh broccoli or cauliflower, chopped celery, banana peppers, bell pepper rings (red, yellow or green), tofu cubes, broiled chicken, shredded ham, shredded beef, taco meat, tuna, black or green olives, croutons or corn bread cubes, asparagus, pepperoni or salami bits, artichoke hearts, kidney beans or chickpeas or beans of any kind, raisins or dried fruit--any kind, almonds or nuts of any kind, scallions or red onions or chopped leek, mushrooms, sprouts or spinach or spring lettuce, cucumber slices, berries, mandarin oranges, dry wanton noodles, etc. Salad dressings can often be purchased in single-serving sizes in the deli section of supermarkets. Also, for a low-fat option, try fat-free Italian or seasoned vinegars.
