Give your kids a break - how many peanut butter sandwiches can one small person eat?
Try these delicious ideas and pack some in for yourself as well.
Day 1:
Turkey, cheese, and spinach sandwich on multi-grain rounds from Costco (these are awesome because they are the same shape as the deli meat and cheese so it makes them a little easier to handle for little kids), mandarin, grapes, pistachios, yogurt, and a few coconut pieces for a sweet treat.
Day 2:
Sandwich kababs, fruit cup, apple, and carrots.
Day 3:
Peanut butter and jelly sushi, mandarin, carrots, mini bell peppers, string cheese, and a fruit leather for a sweet treat. To make the sushi cut the crusts of a piece of bread and roll it out flat with a rolling pin or drinking glass. Add some peanut butter and jelly and roll (don’t roll too tight or you will squish jelly everywhere. Cut the roll into four pieces.
Day 4:
Romaine salad with carrots, bell pepper, and almonds, sliced strawberries, yogurt, and ants on a log (peanut butter on celery with raisins on top).
Day 5:
Sandwich kababs, cantaloupe, carrots, celery, and apple sauce. Make Friday’s special and add a special treat like a giant cookie.
Day 6:
Turkey sandwich, celery, sliced mini cucumbers, plums, yogurt, and coconut.
Sometimes you just need a classic. PB&J, carrot and celery sticks, apple, and a small treat.
Day 9:
Cheese quesadilla, yogurt and fruit salad (diced watermelon, apple, orange, and grapes…use what you have in your fridge.)
Day 10:
Tortilla roll ups, green and red bell peppers, diced watermelon, and apple sauce.
Top tips for a healthy lunch box:
• Always include fresh fruit and vegetables. Vary the selection to keep it interesting.
• Offer a variety of whole grain breads, rolls, pita bread and flat breads.
• Use avocado as a spread instead of butter or margarine.
• Use reduced fat dairy foods. Cheese and yoghurt are ideal.
• Kids need a serve of protein at lunchtime. Ensure you include lean meat, egg, peanut butter, chickpeas or tuna.
• Add a chilled bottle of water and limit juice.
Making lunch can be a fun time for you as a parent and for your child when they open their lunch box to the surprise.
Healthy lunch means a healthy child… have fun with your lunches this year and see how your child will start looking forward to opening their lunchbox!
