For those of you who might be struggling with lunches this week (year!), check this out!
INSTRUCTIONS: Choose 1 option, or more, from each category to create a healthy lunch. Feel free to mix and match each day to keep school lunches interesting!
INGREDIENTS:
Fruit
Applesauce
Blueberries
Grapes (slice in half if you're concerned about choking)
Watermelon
Strawberries (I slice these in half)
Kiwi (peeled and sliced)
Whole apple
Whole banana (with peel)
Peeled oranges (seedless)
Vegetables:
Cucumber (sliced in coins or spears)
Broccoli florets (raw or steamed)
Cauliflower florets (raw or steamed)
Celery sticks (fill with nut butter & raisins for "ants on a log")
Carrots (baby or sliced)
Sweet potato cooked in cubes or slices
Guacamole (technically a fruit, but kids often see it as a veggie)
Protein & Healthy fats:
Yogurt (coconut milk, goat, or cow)
Cheese (shredded, string, or cubes)
Hummus
Nut or seed butter
Edamame
Cooked beans (Chickpeas, black beans, pinto)
Deli Meat (try it rolled up; look for no additives)
Hard boiled egg
Crunchy:
Low-sugar dry cereal
Whole grain crackers
Pretzel sticks
Sunflower seeds
Brown Rice cakes
Plantain chips (usually serve these with hummus or guacamole)
Baked tortilla chips (usually serve these with guacamole)
Pita chips (good with hummus)
Hearty Fillers (Mains):
Leftover Pizza (Cauliflower pizza, english muffin pizza, vegan pizza, etc.)
Steel Cut Oatmeal (if they do not mind eating it cold)
Tortilla roll-up (fill with hummus, avocado, nut butter, or turkey)
Homemade Granola Bars (or store-bought)
Date Energy Balls
Homemade Larabars (or store-bought)
Hummus & Veggie Sandwich (or wrap)
Oatmeal Pancakes
Waffles (add peanut butter for a sandwich or dip)
Black Bean Burger
Egg & Cheese Sandwich
Healthy Granola and Yogurt
Almond Butter & Honey Sandwich
Egg Muffins or Frittata Slice
Quesadilla (for dairy-free, fill with hummus or bean spread)
Pasta Salad
Any dinner leftovers (like spaghetti or plain noodles)