Three Healthy Lunchbox Recipes and Tips

Another school year has begun and sometimes it is hard to pack a healthy lunch day after day that the kids will eat. If you are having a hard time, this article will give you three healthy lunchbox choices and tips that hopefully will spark your imagination for future lunches!

Polka Dot Sandwich

If your child is tired of the old peanut butter and jelly sandwich, try this healthy alternative called Polka Dot Sandwich! This is a versatile recipe and can be altered using your imagination.

Ingredients:

2 slices wheat bread (change up bread choices; white bread or cinnamon raisin bread)

2 Tbsp. of strawberry cream cheese spread (switch up flavors of cream cheese on occasion)

9 Banana slices or to taste

1 Tbsp. raisins

Spread both pieces of bread with strawberry cream cheese. Top 1 side with bananas and the other side with raisins and put together. I always wanted my sandwich sliced. It is easier to eat that way. Add some baby carrots and an apple to round out this healthy lunch.

Waffle Apple-Wich

Ingredients

2 frozen waffles, toasted, cooled

1 slice of cheese

6 slices of Oscar Mayer deli smoked ham (opt. turkey, bologna, roast beef etc…)

½ small apple, sliced

2 tsp. maple flavored pancake syrup (put in small sealed container); chill

Top 1 waffle with cheese, meat, and apple slices. Cover with second waffle. Wrap waffle-wich in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Round out this lunch with individual jello or pudding and 8 oz. milk.

Fruit and Nut Wrap (omit nuts if allergic)

Ingredients

1 flour tortilla (8 oz.)

2 Tbsp. of any flavor of Philadelphia cream cheese

2 Tbsp. of raisins

1 Tbsp. of unsalted cocktail nuts

¼ cup sliced strawberries or any fruit you like

Mix cream cheese and raisins and spread evenly on tortilla to within inch of edge. Place sliced strawberries down the center and roll up tortilla tightly. Wrap tightly with saran wrap or foil and refrigerate until ready to pack. Round out this lunch mini Oreo’s and 8 oz. milk.

Tips for lunchbox

Pack an antibacterial wipe so child can wipe hands before and after eating. Add a personal note or a joke to their lunchbox! They will love it!

Place a frozen juice box in the lunch. It will keep lunch chilled but will be unfrozen by the time lunch rolls around.

Use a thermal lunch tote. These can be found at Wal-mart, Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, and many other places. These are made to keep the food cool or hot depending on what it is.

If lunch is a salad, place the dressing in a small resealable bag. They can tear or cut open a corner and simply squeeze dressing directly on the salad.

There are many more examples of healthy lunch box recipes and tips at the source below.

Source: kraftrecipes.com (accessed 08/30/2012)