Back to School Lunch Special

In a world of Twinkies, Lunchables, Frozen Pizza and Mystery Meat, you may begin to wonder if a healthy and delicious school lunch is possible. It is and these back to school ideas will help you get the ball rolling on healthy, delicious and fun lunches for your kids.

Replacing Overpriced and Over Processed Cheese and Crackers

When you visit the store do your children beg for those portable plastic wrapped school lunch packs? You know the ones with four pieces of cheese and ham and a couple of crackers? It is very easy to make your student their own version of this school lunch that is healthier, and tailor made for them. Simply buy a block of their favorite cheese, low fat preferably. Pick up some thick cut ham or turkey at the deli. Get a box of your students favorite crackers, something wheat or whole grain if your child will eat them and you are set. Cut the ham and cheese into cracker sized pieces and you are ready to go. For additional fun use small cookie cutters to cut the ham and or cheese in your children's favorite shapes. Don't worry about the extra pieces just use them in your eggs. This "homemade" back to school lunch will be sure to please.

Wrap or Pita?

Have the boring bread blues? No problem! Mix it up your school lunches with wraps or pitas. They are now readily available at most grocery stores. Don't just fill these lunch vehicles up with meat and cheese but sneak in some lettuce and tomato too.

Take the wraps in a different direction and make them bites. Make sure you roll them tightly and then cut them into 4-6 bites. This makes them manageable and fun.

Baby Turkey Wrap Bites

Fill your wrap with turkey, American cheese, lettuce and tomato. Roll the wrap tightly and cut into bites, include some ranch or honey mustard on the side for dipping.

Mock Sushi Bites

Try to find spinach (green) wraps they work the best, Make some tuna salad a little dryer than you usually would. Fill your wrap with the tuna and some long strips of carrot and cucumber. Cut the wrap into pieces. To stay in theme include some Swedish fish in your child's lunch pail!

Slam Dunk Lunches

Kids love to dip and dunk! Give them what they love, and also give them what you love a healthy school lunch. Kids are more likely to eat cut and prepared fruit and vegetables. So cut up that apple and include some caramel sauce. Try cutting up a mix of fruits and including some yogurt to dip in. Carrots and ranch are always a hit. If you child is more adventurous try cucumbers and dill dip. It is a great idea to work your dippers in with some of the back to school lunch ideas, like the Baby Turkey Wrap bites, then you will just have one dip for two things!

Going back to school can be a bummer but it doesn't have to be. Encourage your child to tell you what they would like for their school lunch. Use it as an opportunity to teach them about nutrition. Help them make wise substitutions that their school lunches will be healthier. If they help you pack their school lunch the night before they can even help you make the wraps.

Soon your student will be enjoying delicious and nutritious school lunches.