Sack Lunch Ideas for School Lunches

Sandwiches

• Sandwiches are a perennial lunchbox favorite for many children. To keep lunchtime exciting, try offering your child a variety of sandwich options. Instead of the standard peanut butter and jelly on white bread, spread a hazelnut/chocolate spread on healthy whole-wheat bread with sliced bananas. For a change of pace, blend cream cheese, trail mix, raisins and shredded carrots together until smooth and spread on thick multigrain bread, and add apple slices to complete the sandwich. You can vary your child's sandwich choices by using a toasted bagel instead of sliced bread. Spread spicy brown mustard or cream cheese on a toasted bagel and pile high with nutrient-dense vegetables such as lettuce, bell pepper rings, tomato slices, cucumbers, pickles, sprouts and low-fat cheese slices.

Pitas and Wraps

• Add a new twist to your child's lunch by serving her a wrap instead of the typical sandwich. Fill the wrap with a variety of ingredients like spicy black beans, avocado slices and low-fat shredded cheese for a protein-packed bean burrito. Other wrap ideas include filling a soft flour tortilla with grilled chicken and shredded vegetables for a healthy chicken salad wrap. Include a small container of ranch dressing for dipping. Hummus spread on a piece of multigrain flat bread with lettuce, shredded carrots, spicy turkey meatballs and brown rice is another option your child will enjoy. Pitas are an excellent lunchtime choice and can be filled with ingredients like tuna, chicken or taco salad.

Vegetables and Fruits

• Pack a healthy side dish of vegetables or fresh fruit such as baby carrots, melon balls, cherry tomatoes, sweet pepper rings or a banana. You can also include celery or jicama sticks with a spicy hummus, bean dip or creamy ranch dressing. Send you child to school with a healthy salad of tender baby greens, cherry tomatoes, walnuts and feta cheese crumbles. Be sure to include a small container of raspberry dressing for your child to add at lunchtime. For an extra treat you can include apple slices with low-fat caramel or dark chocolate sauce for dipping.

Desserts and Snacks

• Dessert is usually a child's favorite part of lunch. Unfortunately, it can also be the least healthy. Instead of packing store-bought cookies and high-fat potato chips, provide your child with child-size containers of applesauce, yogurt or low-fat pudding. Other healthy choices include pretzels, granola bars or baked potato chips. Homemade oatmeal cookies and fruit bars are excellent choices for a sweet treat.